
Many of my readers probably have their Christmas shopping done. If not, there’s still a few days left! If you have young ones around the house you’ve probably been hearing their Christmas wish list for some time now. Both parent (or grandparent) and child will be able to relate to this week’s Port Pick: Dear Santasaurus by Stacy McAnulty illustrated by Jef Kaminsky. Okay, maybe not the being a dinosaur part, but this colorful picture book certainly has a Christmas wish list!
In January, young Ernest B. Spinosaurus writes a thank you note to Santasaurus for the remote controlled pterodactyl he’s just received. In the illustration however, the reader can see that the remote controlled pterodactyl is already broken from roughhousing around Dad. Throughout the following year Ernest writes more letters to Santasaurus, asking for the next greatest toy: a Jurassic turbo scooter. Ernest works hard, describing in each monthly letter what he’s done to be nice and trying hard (but usually failing) to not be naughty. By November, his naughty and nice list is about even. Will he make it long enough as a good little dinosaur to get his desired scooter?
The colorful comic-inspired illustrations are sure to keep young eyes occupied, while a year in the life of a young, energetic little dinosaur is sure to be relatable to parent dinosaurs and little kid dinosaurs everywhere. This book would be a good read to remind kids, even at Christmas, to try their best to be nice and say thank you and follow the rules.
You can get the book reviewed here and more great titles to watch, read, listen to, or play with at the Port Library at 1718 N. Hersey in Beloit, on the North Campus. This is director Rachel Malay, saying “Thanks for checking us out!”
Dear Santasaurus by Stacy McAnulty, illustrated by Jef Kaminsky
ISBN: 9781590788769, fully illustrated
Children's picture books