Author: James Howe
Illustrator: Randy Cecil
Reading level: Ages 4 and up
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Candlewick
Release Date: February 12, 2013
Our Score: 2 out of 5 stars
Who doesn’t love dinosaurs? How about dinosaurs that do ballet? That is what we have here with “Brontorina”. Author James Howe is an E. B. White Read Aloud Award winner and is known for his other books including “Bunnicula”. I have to admit this is a cute story but just not for me. Also it just bothers me a little bit that it is old softcover. When it comes to kids books they need to be durable. I do not see this book lasting very long when a rough kids gets their hands on it. Lastly the illustrations by Randy Cecil are very simple and the colors really don’t jump off the page for me.
Official Synopsis: From the sure-footed duo of James Howe and Randy Cecil comes a hugely endearing new character — in a humorous, heart-warming tale about holding on to your dreams. Brontorina has a dream. She wants to dance. But Brontorina is rather large — too large to fit in Madame Lucille’s dance studio. Brontorina does not have the right shoes, and everyone knows you can’t dance without the proper footwear. Still, Brontorina knows, deep in her heart, that she is meant to be a ballerina. James Howe introduces a lovable dinosaur whose size is outmatched only by her determination, and whose talent is outmatched only by her charm. Accompanied by Randy Cecil’s beguiling illustrations, here is an irresistible story that proves that no problem is too big when the heart and imagination know no bounds.