Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug (Tiny T. Rex #1)

In this series opener, tyrannosaur Tiny has a problem: his best friend, stegosaurus Pointy, is sad, and Tiny's wee arms make it difficult to offer solace through a hug. His father suggests that math might be the solution ("Rexes are thinkers, not huggers"); his aunt, mid-yoga-pose, recommends "balance and freshly squeezed cucumber juice"; and his mother assures him that he's good at other things. His siblings, thankfully, offer some sensible advice: "To do the impossible you must plan and practice." Tiny embraces their approach, mapping out an elaborate strategy, training, and hugging everything from a flower to an ice cream cone to a cactus ("I will not practice on that anymore," Tiny declares about the latter). Finally, mistaking a pterodactyl leg for a tree, Tiny ends up flying through the sky and discovers that "tiny" is all a matter of perspective. Debut author Stutzman includes plenty of dry humor in his simple sentences, which Fleck extends to great effect in comic retro scenes that recall the illustrator's work in Tilly & Tank. Readers will root for bighearted, small-armed Tiny, making his final, "biggest" hug all the more satisfying. Ages 3-5. Author's agent: Elena Giovinazzo, Pippin Properties. Illustrator's agent: Kirsten Hall, Catbird Productions. (Mar.)

PreS-Gr 1—Tiny's name says it all. He is the smallest in his T. rex family, simply giving a friend a hug is hard because of his disproportionately small arms. A cast of anthropomorphic dinosaur family members offer advice on a range of topics from math to sports, giving Tiny time to plan a strategy, get stronger, and practice, practice, practice, until an accidental flight experience drops him into the perfect opportunity to give a hug. Digitally colored and wildly fantastic, this is a sweet and satisfying read. From his father, Tiny learns that Rexes are thinkers and love math, he gets lost in his mother's desk drawer but finds that she admires his kindness and creativity, he learns the importance of practice from his Ping-Pong-playing brother and sister, and he discovers on his own that he should not practice a hug on a cactus. While each family member shares ideas about learning and doing, it is Tiny who learns about caring and the positives of independent, creative thinking to achieve the impossible. VERDICT A solid purchase for libraries with readers who simply live for the next dinosaur book and an engaging storytime selection.—Mary Elam, Learning Media Services, Plano ISD, TX