Kirkus
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A reptile romp through a pastry paradise. Sure, we’ve been told that some dinosaurs eat veggies and grass, while others prefer meat. But the truth? “All DINOS eat are DONUTS!” We see them gobbling the delicious-looking treats, dipping them in jelly, and even using them as barbells. Plenty of toppings are on display—sprinkles, glaze, sugar—and these snacks provide energy for dancing, dinos’ favorite exercise. Potential paleontologists might wish that more species were named (Okon’s text references old standbys like Triceratops and Stegosaurus), but serious dino lovers will notice other species that appear in the artwork. We learn that due to a fear of rocks, “all dinos HATE the DONUT HOLES”…until one delectable hole rolls down a hill and explodes in a messy of yummy jelly. The dinosaurs have a change of heart, and they decide not to worry about giant rocks falling from the sky. Older readers can explain to younger ones that the flaming rock descending in the final spread spells the creatures’ eventual extinction. End notes praise the dinos’ willingness to try something new (although, ironically, that acceptance precedes their destruction). The jaunty rhyme scheme ramps up the fun, and Okon folds in some potentially new vocabulary (knoll,chorus). Sharma’s pink, blue, orange, teal, and violet color scheme is Day-Glo fluorescent. Kids will eat up the playful fun here, a continuation of the popular, sugary series, “Mythical Feasts.” A lip-smacking, phonics-boosting treat.(Picture book. 3-6) Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.