T-Rex Is Missing!

February 1, 2003
Gr 1-2-A "lost" toy dinosaur causes an ugly rift between friends as one blames the other for its disappearance. The contretemps continues at school, but later Morgie discovers his younger brother had "borrowed" T-Rex as a bed companion. Embarrassed, he apologizes to Billy, and all is forgiven. (Morgie and family have golden-tan caninelike heads; Billy appears to be a white rabbit.) DePaola's simple text is geared to beginning readers, his softly colored signature illustrations have his distinctive appeal, and the inclusion of T-Rex guarantees an audience. A start off, perhaps, for classroom discussion, or a lesson about jumping to conclusions.-Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

Copyright 2003 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2003
When Morgie's favorite dinosaur toy disappears, he assumes that his friend Billy has borrowed it without asking, and he angrily demands its return--to no avail. Then Morgie gets home from school and learns that his brother has actually borrowed it. DePaola's signature pastel-colored illustrations perfectly capture the plausible emotions of his all-animal cast, especially during Morgie's apology.

(Copyright 2003 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)