Synopsis
When the littlest dinosaur goes out exploring one day, he only wants to play leapfrog with the frogs and chase the butterflies through the meadows. But when he gets lost in the dark woods, all he can think about is getting home again. Summoning all of his courage is difficult, but when he finds a small pterodactyl also lost in the woods, the littlest dinosaur finds that he is brave enough to get them home safely.
School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 2
In this follow-up to The Littlest Dinosaur (Walker, 2008), the tiny triceratops continues his journey of self-acceptance. This book begins with him "dangling his toes among the water lilies" when a little frog pops up and beckons him to play. Cautiously, he follows across a river bridge of lily pads; once on the other side, he chases butterflies through buzzing fields of wildflowers. In the frogs and butterflies, he finds friends his own size for the first time. Nevertheless, this seeming windfall presents unforeseen challenges. Foreman's sunny palette of watercolors and ink suddenly becomes dark and cold, and the Littlest Dinosaur finds himself lost in a deep forest. Beset with fear, he starts to run and encounters another lost, and very distraught, little pterodactyl. The Littlest Dinosaur summons his courage and leads him out of the forest, only to confront a huge creature. This simply told but emotionally complex story ends peacefully as the Littlest Dinosaur dreams "of his new friends, big and small." Foreman's soft and gentle cartoon-style illustrations are tailored for young eyes and hearts. Sharing the book aloud will invite discussion as Foreman leaves readers a well-marked trail for inference and reflection, while the twists and turns of the plot will keep even the youngest audiences riveted.-Sara Paulson-Yarovoy, American Sign Language and English Lower School PS 347, New York City