By Deborah Freedman
Viking, 2022
Picture book, 40 pages, ages 4-8
Did you know that dinosaurs STILL roam the earth? “I’m a dinosaur! I’m a dinosaur!” buzzes a tiny hummingbird.
His animal friends (a frog, turtle, and mole) don’t believe him. So he presents evidence to prove he is a dinosaur: four toes, three front and one back, just like T. rex; hollow bones, just like T. rex; and more. But then a “real” dinosaur comes along, and they see just how much they have in common.
Loose and energetic watercolor illustrations enliven this cute and informative book. The characters, with their sweet expressions and button eyes, are adorable. White line drawings of dinosaurs enhance the illustrations and are quietly educational.
The compare-and-contrast story is simple, easily enjoyed and understood by most kids. However, the informational text accompanying the white line sketches is difficult to read, as it is small and colored white or medium blue.
Back matter includes an Author’s Note and Resources.
While I personally adore Deborah Freedman’s work, this is not a favorite of mine or one that I would feel the need to read again. There are elements of it I liked, and would have liked as a kid, but characters don’t leap off the page for me and light toned informational text impairs legibility.
Potentially sensitive themes in this book: evolution
Tiny Tino by Deborah Freedman 3½ stars