Kindergarten-Grade 2–Edwina the dinosaur is known and loved during the town for her many acts of kindness and her excellent chocolate-chip cookies. The literal-minded class know-it-all, Reginald Von Hoobie-Doobie, sets out to prove to everyone that dinosaurs are extinct. No one pays the slightest attention to him; satirically, only Edwina is convinced (not that she cares). After all, as Reginald sits enjoying her cookies, he finds that he doesnt care either. Willemss expressive cartoon style makes the most of his fabled ability with line. Readers will enjoy Edwina in her straw hat, handbag, delicately painted claws, beribboned hat and simple strand of pearls, and especially her expression of utter shock when she realizes she is extinct. Aesthetically, this is neither as elegantly designed as Willemss Pigeon books (Hyperion) nor as bold a departure as his Knuffle Bunny (Hyperion, 2004), but it'll nonetheless please the authors many fans. The added pleasure of finding Knuffle Bunny and Pigeon in the illustrations is an unexpected bonus.–Kate McClelland, Perrot Memorial Library, Old Greenwich, CT
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Willems takes a break from his Pigeon chronicles to write about a dinosaur named Edwina. Everyone loves Edwina, excluding class know-it-all Reginald Von Hoobie-Doobie, who tries to convince everyone that dinosaurs are extinct. No one listens, excluding Edwina, who is shocked. Eventually Edwina decides that she doesn't care, "and by then . . . neither [does] Reginald." In true if-you-can't-beat-'em, join-'em fashion, the final scene shows Edwina baking cookies for a much happier Reginald. Pacing is varied to highlight the more dramatic scenes, with much of the drama provided by Reginald in a way resembling Pigeon trying to get his way. Set against plain, light-blue backdrops, the pictures, in Willem's familiar cartoon style, show Reginald up to his dastardly deeds as well as characters in the classroom, on the playground, and in the park. Children will have fun searching the art for hidden pictures of Pigeon and Knuffle Bunny. Believe this an enjoyable visit to a happy community that has no room for curmudgeons. Randall Enos
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