(Preschool, Primary) The first book in this charming series was called Sammy and the Dinosaurs (rev. 9/99) in the United States; it was published originally in the U.K. as Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs. Now Sammy is Harry on both sides of the Atlantic. In this new adventure, his attachment to a bucketful of plastic dinosaurs once again brings them to life--in his imagination or for real? Readers will draw their own conclusions. This time around Harry's only a little bit nervous about his dentist appointment, while the dinosaurs, particularly toothy Tyrannosaurus, are so scared they threaten to bite the dentist. Whybrow's short, easy-to-read text blends child-specific detail with fantasy, while Reynolds's vibrant watercolors accentuate the situational humor. Such appealing characters--by any name--deserve readership on many continents. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.

PreS-Gr 1-Harry and his bucketful of dinosaurs are back for another adventure. The child is only a little scared about going to see the dentist, but his toys are all hiding. Once there, Harry is hesitant to hop up on the big chair, so Dr. Drake suggests that one of the dinosaurs takes a ride on it first. When Tyrannosaurus is seated, Harry pushes a magic button on his bucket that makes the dinosaur life-sized. A loud "RAAAAHH!" from the dinosaur sends Dr. Drake out of the room, but when he returns, Harry feels safe enough to have his teeth examined. Harry's mother rewards him with a trip to the library following the highly successful dentist appointment. The clear, bright, oversized illustrations bring children directly into Harry's world. All of the pictures are full-bleed spreads and are warm, accessible, and realistic. The simple text flows easily and the pacing is right on for younger listeners.-Wendy Woodfill, Hennepin County Library, Minnetonka, MN (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Whybrow's creations are highly lovable, and that cast certainly includes Harry and his bucket of dinosaurs, but this adventure feels over before it has started, as if Whybrow, like Harry, wants to get out of the dentist's office at a gallop. Harry is not looking forward to his trip to the dentist and brings his bucket of dinosaurs as support. He takes his place in the dental chair, but not before Tyrannosaurus gives the doctor a good scare and the rest of the dinosaurs cavort about the office. All this merry prankstering is not as subtle as the original Harry: these dinos are more obvious, rambunctious presences to the other characters in the story (or at least appear to be), whereas before, their place in the realm of the real was left more to the readers' imagination. Then again, Harry is free of cavities, so maybe bringing a real T-Rex to the dentist isn't such a bad idea. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Harry is back for a second adventure, in which carnivores and herbivores alike accompany the hero to the dentist in order to have their teeth checked in Harry and the Dinosaurs Say "Raahh!" by Ian Whybrow, illus. by Adrian Reynolds. When Harry sets out to see Dr. Drake, a bucketful of dinosaurs help him get over his anxiety. (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved