Danny and the Dinosaur Go to Camp

Danny and his pet dinosaur have been delighting children since 1958--almost the Jurassic Age to today's preschooler. There's a reason for that. To adults, this dinosaur, so different from the scary guys in Spielberg-land, may seem a bit of a wimp, but he, his friend Danny, the kids in their neighborhood, and the reassuring stories of their simple adventures, are a gentle introduction to the dinosaur universe.

In fact, as a review copy of this reissue lay on my desk, a very grown-up 17-year-old wandered over and remarked "Danny and the Dinosaur. Cool. I remember him. Those books were rad."

Rad indeed. This time author-illustrator Syd Hoff takes us along as Danny and his unnamed companion go off to sleep-away camp. The big guy fits right in; nobody even minds when he wins a race with a single step.

He does his part, though. When the campers go boating, "The children rowed little boats. Danny rowed the dinosaur." When they get tired on a hike, the whole group and counselor Lana hitch a ride home on his back.

Nope, it's not much of a story. But from the arrival at camp to the last goodnight at lights-out, Danny and his dinosaur try new things, help each other out, and generally behave like pals. If a kid and a prehistoric creature can do it, kids know they can, too. (For ages 3 and younger)