Tiny T. Rex and the Very Dark Dark

by Jonathan Stutzman, Jay Fleck (Illustrator)

Overview

The adorable and indomitable Tiny T. Rex from the critically acclaimed Tiny T. Rex and The Impossible Hug is back in a tale about friendship and overcoming your fears.

Meet Tiny T-Rex! He may be a small dino in a BIG world, but that won't stop him from making friends, conquering his fears, and stomping his way into your heart.

Tiny T. Rex and his friend Pointy are having a campout in the backyard! It is what best friends do. But without their nighty-lights, the dark outside suddenly seems VERY dark . . . and very full of spooky things. Good thing Tiny has a super-secret plan to keep the dark at bay! Full of warmth and plenty of laughs, this new adventure starring Tiny T. Rex shows that friends will always find a way to face their fears together—even when those fears are not what they seem!

HOW DO DINOSAURS: Books about dinosaurs tackle many topics, but this may be the only one that considers how a T. Rex overcomes his fear of the dark! This wonderful children's book is a funny and sweet story about friendship, perseverance, empathy, and kindness that will delight any kid who loves dinosaurs.

GREAT READ ALOUD BOOK: Delightful text and adorable illustrations make this dinosaur book one kids will love to hear again and again! Publishers Weekly proclaims that "readers will root for bighearted, small-armed Tiny" who never gives up and doesn’t allow limitations to get in his way.

PRESCHOOL AND KINGERGARTEN BOOK: Fans of Dragons Love Tacos, Grumpy Monkey, and Diggersaurs books will enjoy following Tiny on his big adventure. Other books in the series include Tiny T. Rex and the Grand Ta-Da!, Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug, Tiny T. Rex and the Perfect Valentine, and Tiny T. Rex and the Tricks of Treating.

Perfect for:

• Read-aloud book to help toddlers and children overcome a fear of the dark
• Dinosaur picture book for kids
• Parents and teachers seeking books that teach lessons about empathy, friendship, and problem-solving
• Emerging and reluctant readers
• Birthday gift for 3 – 5 year olds
• Fans of the Tiny T. Rex series and silly picture books like Llama Destroys the World, We Don't Eat Our Classmates, and Dinosaur vs Bedtime

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781452170343
Publisher:	Chronicle Books LLC
Publication date:	03/03/2020
Series:	Tiny T. Rex Series
Pages:	48
Sales rank:	75,740
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 9.30(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	3 - 5 Years

About the Author

Jay Fleck is an Illinois-based designer and illustrator who has illustrated many books for children. He lives south of Chicago.

Jonathan Stutzman is an award-winning filmmaker and writer. His short films have screened at film festivals all over the world and on television. He lives in Palmyra, Pennsylvania.

Editorial Reviews

 

“[Tiny T. Rex and the Very Dark Dark] captures how many children feel about the dark. It’s a great way to open up conversation about this issue and help them deal with it. The text is clear and appealing. Young listeners will enjoy the elaborate plans the friends go through to conquer their problem. A great read-aloud for little ones—and not just those who are afraid of the dark.”—School Library Journal

“As in Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug (2019), Fleck and Stutzman really bring the cute… Tiny's superserious narration carries the adorableness with ease… [Tiny T. Rex and the Very Dark Dark is assuring promise for timorous toddlers with special squishes of their own.”—Kirkus Reviews

 

“[Tiny T. Rex and the Very Dark Dark] charmingly taps into a common childhood fear and offers playful solutions. There's not much to be afraid of in Fleck's blocky, glowing illustrations of the two pals, and readers with similar worries will soon find theirs alleviated.”—Booklist

From the Publisher

02/01/2020

PreS-Gr 1—Tiny T. Rex and his friend Pointy are very afraid of the dark. This puts a major damper on their plans to have a campout in the backyard. The two are used to night-lights and there aren't any outside. What will they do if the Grumbles and the Nom-bies come out? What if the Crawly-creeps show up? Tiny T. and Pointy are ready to tackle this problem. They start with what they think will be a sturdy hiding fort and strong helmets. But their tent doesn't do a very good job hiding Tiny T. Unfortunately, his helmet, a food strainer, is a little too small for his large head. The duo come to the conclusion that they need more light so they won't be as scared. Christmas lights will take care of that…until they break. Tiny's mother has told him there is always a light shining somewhere. Could she be right? This book captures how many children feel about the dark. It's a great way to open up conversation about this issue and help them deal with it. The text is clear and appealing. Young listeners will enjoy the elaborate plans the friends go through to conquer their problem. VERDICT A great read-aloud for little ones—and not just those who are afraid of the dark.—Barbara Spiri, Southborough Library, MA

School Library Journal

2019-10-23
A first backyard campout can be very scary…even for dinosaurs.

As in Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug (2019), Fleck and Stutzman really bring the cute—outfitting the anxious, square-headed narrator and stegosaurian pal Pointy in fuzzy onesies (Pointy's actually patterned with dinos…awww) while Tiny, clutching plush bear Bob ("my special squish") frets about how Grumbles and Nom-bies come out when there are no "nighty-lights." Distrusting Tiny's mom's claim that there are always lights shining somewhere, the campers haul out lamps from the house and festoon the trees around their blanket tent with strings of colored bulbs. Now those Crawly-creeps don't stand a chance. But the relief only lasts until a fuse blows, and a page turn brings sudden, total darkness. What now? Maybe, together, the two can be brave enough to open their eyes and look for lights? They are, and when they do, there is the shining moon and a sky filled with glimmering stars. Tiny's superserious narration carries the adorableness with ease, and young readers will enjoy spotting the details that surround these anthropomorphic dinosaurs. The Grumbles and Nom-bies are revealed to be Tiny's snoring and snacking parents, respectively, which should kindle recognition in many mammalian readers.

A reassuring promise for timorous toddlers with special squishes of their own. (Picture book. 2-5)

Kirkus Reviews