Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. ( )

Fans of anthropomorphic dinosaur stories, rejoice! Acclaimed Japanese author/illustrator Tatsuya Miyanishi's multi-volume picture-book series about the adventures of a Tyrannosaurus Rex has been (partially) translated. In this first installment, a tiny Ankylosaurus hatches against the backdrop of volcanoes erupting and earthquakes shaking. Imprinting on the T-Rex, little Yummy adores his adoptive father who, seeing himself through the eyes of an innocent and trusting being, protects and nurtures this young dinosaur, so unlike himself. When he has taught Yummy everything he can, our Tyrannosaurus hero does the best thing he can... and sends him off to the care of some adult Ankylosauruses...

Although Miyanishi has been quite popular in his native Japan for some years, he seems only recently to have begun to be translated into English. You Look Yummy!, published here in New York in 2015, was originally released in Japan in 2003. I'm glad that Museyon, who also published the adorable Kuma-Kuma Chan books, has begun to make his work available in the states! I found the story here unexpectedly endearing, and although the artwork didn't really speak to me, when I first picked it up, I eventually found it quite appealing. Bold, eye-popping colors and stylized figures (note: these dinosaurs are not "realistically" depicted!) are paired with an unexpectedly sweet story. I had a lump in my throat when I came to the conclusion, and immediately wanted to pick up the second book, You Are My Best Friend. Recommended to anyone who is in the market for less realistic dinosaur stories for the picture-books set. ( )

Dinosaur lovers will absolutely love this book. Parents should also love this book.

ou Look Yummy! is an adorable read! A baby ankylosaurus hatches and is alone. A tyrannosaurus finds him and thinks he would make a great meal. When he says "You look Yummy" the baby ankylosaurus thinks he is calling him by name and assumes he is his daddy. The t-rex's heart melts and he becomes very protective of the baby. He saves him from other meat-eaters as well as teaching him everything he knows, ramming, roaring, tail swinging etc. And the ending... totally adorable! It's sweet and I can't think of any child who wouldn't love it.

The illustrations are very cartoonish, but they really work in this book.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. ( )

This is a cute picture book (and apparently part of a series in Japan) in which a Tyrannosaurus Rex is on the verge of devouring a baby ankylosaurus when the little dinosaur calls the T-Rex "Daddy" and, of course, this melts the big dinosaurs heart. This short volume is brilliantly colored and explores the relationship between this unlikely father and son. ( )

When baby Ankylosaurus hatches, he finds himself all alone in a place unknown to him. The first dinosaur he finds is the Tyrannosaurus, whose intentions are not difficult to figure out. But it happens that the baby thinks the Tyrannosaurus is his daddy and shows him so much love, that soon the Tyrannosaurus starts liking him back. He protects him and teaches the baby all he knows. He even eats berries instead of meat!

The baby repeats the whole time he wants to be like his daddy, and at some point the Tyrannosaurus understands this can't work. The baby won't grow to be like him, he is not his real daddy. There's only one right thing to do. The Tyrannosaurus tricks the baby to race him to the top of the mountain where he will find his real family, where he belongs.

The most interesting thing about this book is the ending. It is a happy ending, but a different kind of happy ending we are used to. Be aware that it could seem a little sad at the first moment, but at the same time will bring a great chance to talk about why this is actually a happy ending...

Age range: 4 to 8 years old

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Check out more children's book reviews in my Reviews in Chalk Blog! ( )