Claire Freedman

Dragons' love for underpants will have listeners giggling, while just enough adventure hits to make them wonder what will happen next.

This one starts with exactly what one might expect—dragons in underpants. After all, according to these pages, dragons have always loved underpants. Bright, beautiful, and bold ones. However, fabric might not be the best thing for a dragon, especially when they breathe fire. Luckily, for the dragons, a nearby town harbors citizens who love their underpants show more almost as much as the dragons do. The dragons' plan to solve their problem might not be the best way to handle things, though.

When I picked this one up, I wasn't aware that it's one in an entire collection of underpants reads: aliens, dinos, Santa Claus, and more make it an interesting group to choose from. But dragon fans will probably argue that this is the one to pick up. The dragons are well-created with an entertaining balance between cute and a hint of dangerous. Not much, but enough to add a tiny bit of zest. While the tale, obviously, centers around underpants, it packs more to make it a rounded adventure. There's an attack (very gentle), a kidnapping, and a perky, clever princess. While there is a slight sense of danger, it's heavily coated with humor and quirky moments to make this a fun read.

The rhyming text flows very well and adds spice as the illustrations take it from there. The characters and scenes are bright and bold with details to lure listeners back to explore the illustrations on their own. Little moments of humor are worked in, carrying subtle and also obvious silliness. All of this makes it a lovely read-aloud for groups or individual settings.

If messaging is preferred, this book isn't really it. There is bravery on the princess' end, and a compromise is reached (although the dragons were still naughty). But if a smile and laughter is desired, this is a read to pick up and enjoy. show less

Have you ever wondered what wiped out all the dinosaurs way back in history?

Well, the Cavemen, embarrassed by their nudity, dreamed up underpants. But when Tyrannosaurus-Rex saw their underpants, he wanted them. Soon all the dinosaurs were undies crazy, snatching underpants whenever they could. Soon the Cavemen were running low on underpants and the dinosaurs began fighting each other for the remaining undies.

What do you think happened?

Delightfully silly, this rhyming tale is guaranteed to show more bring about giggle-fits in even the staunchest of dinosaur fans. Colorfully illustrated [with LOTS of underpants], the story takes a truth . . . dinosaurs are extinct . . . and creates a hilarious explanation for their demise. It’s not science, it’s not accurate, but it is lots of fun. And, dinosaur fans or not, young readers are sure to find a few giggles within the telling of this tale that is certain to become a read-it-again favorite.

Recommended. show less

First sentence: If God sent you a letter,
He'd say, "I love you so!
You're very precious to me,
and I want you to know."
God made you,
and He knows your name,
and so it's no surprise,
that the one and only,
uniquely YOU,
is perfect in His eyes!

From Me to You, Love God is a children's book, a picture book, published by Kregel.

It is written in rhyme. It is definitely of the precious-precious-super-sweet narrative style.

While God is mentioned on nearly every single spread of this one, the depth and show more substance as to who God is vague and generalized. Though we do get one 'Heavenly Father.'

There is no mention of Jesus at all. Not even once. I think a choice was made. Perhaps I'm wrong. What is mentioned about God is certainly happy-happy-cozy-cozy and not at all controversial or offensive.

There is not a great depth to the spiritual truths in this one. But one does get a sense that God is all-knowing, all-seeing, kind, good, and loving. There is more focus on God watching over YOU the one and only unique, supremely precious perfect YOU than anything else. (You get the impression that the message is God is so lucky, fortunate, blessed that there is a you in his life). The focus is definitely on God's love and loving YOU and loving everyone. But God is definitely a tame, gentle God in this one.

Does a picture book *need* to present the gospel? Maybe. Maybe not. Does this book in anyway indicate that there is a gospel? No. Not really. The book doesn't really go there at all. For better or worse. I mean a book certainly doesn't have to present our need for the Savior, who the Savior is, how we're saved, what we're saved from, what our salvation means, the hope to which we cling, etc.

The book begins with the premise *if* God sent you a letter....and then proceeds. The truth is we do have God's revelation. We do have his written word. While it may not be a letter written for us specifically as individuals. We have access to the very words of God. We know WHO he is because he has revealed himself to us. (Read Psalm 19 or 119 among dozens of other places that speak of the Word of God). We do not have to guess about who God is, what God has done, what God has promised, what God has said. Perhaps there was a missed opportunity to point little ones to the Word of God.

One of the book's premises is that little ones can look for EIGHTY letters in the illustrations. A seek and find if you will. The back copy reads, "they will find encouraged" when they spot these illustrated letters in the book because "God is always with them on life's journey." I certainly don't have issues with illustrators providing details for little ones to find. But it does seem odd to me at least that this is the highlight of the back copy. Like that is the most important thing about the book?

There aren't a tremendous amount of Christian picture books published each year. I'd say there is a small number published each year. I always like to review them when I can because I know the need is there. I've read better. I've read worse. show less

I cannot get enough of this series! This is a great read for reluctant readers, especially boys. The funny explanation as to why dinosaurs are extinct begins with the cavemen wearing underpants and the dinosaurs wanting to wear them as well. This colorful and silly book will help readers young and mature alike, engaged and laughing out loud. Claire Freedman's writing style is so clever and enticing to young readers. The silly situations the dinosaurs get themselves into are too funny! My show more favorite quote from the book is, "When T-rex saw man's undies, he roared with deafening rants. I don't want to eat you up! I want your underpants!" The big message/idea of this book is to entertain and give children a silly explanation as to why dinosaurs are extinct. show less