Dinosaur Goes to Israel

PreS-Gr 1—After celebrating Shabbat, Passover, and Hanukkah, the lovable dinosaur returns to take a trip to Israel. In silly, rhyming text, Dino visits Tel Aviv, the beach, the Western Wall, Masada, and the Dead Sea. He also enjoys a falafel sandwich and goes snorkeling in Eilat. As in the past, his size, enthusiasm, and clumsiness add humor and wreak a little havoc. Dino returns with a souvenir shofar (the ram's horn sounded on the Jewish New Year), perhaps hinting at the next installment. The illustrations complement the fun and cheery mood of the text, but provide only a generic, unsophisticated view of the people and places of Israel. While failing to offer more than titles such as Vivian Newman's Ella's Trip to Israel (Kar-Ben, 2011), this picture book will find an audience with Jewish families, especially those familiar with the series.—Rachel Kamin, North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, Highland Park, IL