Dino-Swimming

Reviewed by: Sheila Dube - Springvale Public Library, Springvale, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: February 8, 2016

Review

Wheeler and Gott have teamed up again to present the eighth book in the dinosaur athletic series. The meat-eating, Land Sharks, dinosaur swim team dressed in red compete against the Algae Eaters plant-eating dinosaurs wearing green. In rhyming text, all aspects of a swimming meet are covered. As in the previous books, the names of the various dinosaurs participating are in colored font and some dinosaur names are abbreviated to fit rhyme scheme. The brightly, colored illustrations of the dinosaurs almost resemble clay figures showing action, expression and a variety of visual perspectives. The illustrations round out the text by showing details such as goggles, towels, swimming caps, parents behind cameras, stop watches and the high dive. The dinosaurs swim, pout, brag, cross over the swimming barriers and at one point a stylized dive empties the pool. A must have for dinosaur lovers and library collections looking for books to introduce preschool readers to sports.

Overall Book Score: good