In 1957, Harper published its first I Can Read title, Little Bear, written by Else Holmelund Minarik and illustrated by Maurice Sendak. Large type, simple vocabulary, chapter-like divisions, and decorative pictures made Little Bear perfect for emerging readers—they could read the story comfortably and not feel overwhelmed by the text. Following suit came such classics as Peggy Parish's Amelia Bedelia series, Lillian Hoban's books about Arthur the monkey, and Syd Hoff's popular Danny and the Dinosaur. Many books in this series are special in the depth of emotion evoked - Little Bear, the Frog and Toad books by Arnold Lobel, and Daniel's Duck by Clyde Bulla, to name a few - and all are enjoyed by children of all ages. Preschool - Grade 1.
Language Arts
It is a great pleasure to see what miracles can be wrought with simple words, imagination, and understanding of children.
Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot
First published in 1958, Danny and the Dinosaur has become a classic. The uncomplicated drawings look like they were colored with crayon, and look like something a child would create. The text describes Danny's daylong adventure with a dinosaur in easy to read text with audio tape. Part of the "I Can Read" series.
Children's Literature - Jeanne K. Pettenati
This selection is part of the "I Can Read" series. It tells a mildly amusing story of a dinosaur who accompanies his friend Danny to camp. The dinosaur does predictable things and the campers respond in predictable ways. Children may be interested in several readings, but it is unlikely that this story will sustain their long-term interest. The book is not up to the level of other in this series.
School Library Journal
K-Gr 2Hoff's classic characters are back. This time, Danny and his friend the dinosaur go to summer camp together. They enjoy typical activities such as races, letter writing, water sports, and marshmallow roasting, and then go to sleep. Character development is limited to demonstrating that the dinosaur has a huge appetite. The full-color cartoon illustrations complement the text and show both African American and white children, but lack continuity. On one page, the dino is large enough to carry all the campers on its back; on another, it is small enough to eat at the table and hold a fork. Children may overlook details like this, but they will definitely miss the novelty and charm of the original Danny and the Dinosaur (HarperCollins, 1958). Not a necessary purchase unless you have a large early-reader collection or many fans of Syd Hoff's work.Sharon R. Pearce, San Antonio Public Library, TX
Kirkus Reviews
Danny and his dinosaur (who, although he has been Danny's friend since 1958, has never been given a name) are off again, this time to summer camp, and everyone has a wonderful time, including readers. Danny's dinosaur makes everything more fun—racing (he needs to take only one step to win), rowing (he's the boat), hiking (he can offer all the tired hikers a ride home), eating a lot of toasted marshmallows (guess who eats the most?), or sleeping under the stars (no cot is big enough for a dinosaur). Hoff's simple prose and cartoon illustrations make a delightful book for beginning readers, with enough difficult words—ketchup and pizza—to keep the story interesting, and enough clues in the illustrations to ensure new readers success. Every collection will have room for this welcome addition to the popular series.
Read More
