- Dinosaurs. Check.
- Short arms. Check.
- Hugs. Check.
- Cuteness. Double check.
I’ll admit it. I’m a sucker for adorable picture books. And the cover of Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug really gets me: expectant, hopeful look on the dinosaur’s face; arms wide, ready to receive love; adorable slight tilt of the head. I would definitely pick it up in a bookstore. A brand new book by author Jonathan Stutzman and illustrator Jay Fleck, it’s the first in a series that will include additional books starting next year.
The story itself is just as engaging and appealing as the adorable cover art. Tiny T. Rex’s friend Pointy is feeling down. Tiny T. Rex is full of love and wants to help his friend, but hugging someone when you have tiny short arms is a bit tricky. Still, Tiny is determined. The story follows Tiny’s adventure to find a way to cheer up his friend and, in the end, give him a hug.
First, Tiny tries to get help. He asks his father, his aunt, and his mother, but their advice isn’t helpful. Finally he asks his siblings, whose advice inspires him. So next, he devises a plan to successfully hug his friend, hopefully making Pointy feel better.
The storyline runs through the entire process from start to finish. Tiny cares for his friend, considers his quandary, looks for help from those he trusts, develops a plan, works very hard at the plan, tests out some ideas, and finally is able to carry out his important hug mission. These are all important qualities in a person (or a dinosaur), and the context of this story is a lovely way to share them with your kids (in addition to modeling them yourself, of course).
The story is short, but it is definitely sweet. It’s a perfect book to read with your kids at bedtime, cuddle time, or anytime, since Tiny T. Rex embodies what it’s like to be a small child. It’s aimed at ages 3-5, but would be fun for anyone who loves sweet children’s books.
Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug comes out on March 5 but is available for pre-order now. It is the perfect gift for any child you love, or any love who has an inner child. Keep an eye out for the next book in the Tiny T. Rex series in 2020: Tiny T. Rex and the Very Dark Dark. As someone who was scared of the dark as a kid, I’ll be reading that one for sure.
Learn how to dray Tiny T. Rex with this handy demonstration by illustrator Jay Fleck:
Note: I received the book for review purposes, but any vulnerability to The Cute is all my own.
