ALA Booklist (Thu Mar 01 00:00:00 CST 2018)

Crunch is a shy dinosaur d persuading him out from hiding will take patience, persistence, and understanding. How to start? Perhaps saying hello first h my, you've said it too loudly. He seems to have run off." What next? "He likes the Happy Birthday' song. . . . If you sing it, maybe he'll come out." And that works iefly. It's a process, and throughout the day, with an unseen narrator helping readers discover what words, approaches, or voice volumes work, Crunch progressively responds, from coming closer to playfully donning his "most-fun hat" and dancing. Eventually, however, it's time to say, "Good night, Crunch," though getting him to sleep may also take multiple tries. Bright, simply rendered cartoon illustrations contain varying perspectives and expressive, droll touches to depict Crunch's hesitant friendliness. The read-aloud-friendly prose invites ample participation and includes some playful, humorous surprises, which temper the text's occasionally purposeful feel. Although certain elements may need explaining, such as the concept of "appropriate distance," overall, this is a supportive, gentle portrayal of addressing d respecting hers' shyness.

Kirkus Reviews

How to meet, and have fun with, a shy, easily startled dinosaur.The trick, the narrator cautions, is to be not too loud (or soft), but to speak in "a nice, medium-sounding voice. Bold, yet gentle." Try singing the "Happy Birthday" song, because every day is someone's birthday, and anyway Crunch "loves days in general. He's very positive." Give the big red sauropod in Pizzoli's simple cartoon illustrations a bit of time, and enough space, and he may well step out from behind the sheltering screen of trees to relax in your company or even dance or paint your name on a rock. The illustrations will have children and adults chuckling, as the not-insubstantial Crunch attempts to hide in the boughs of a rather small tree and as his expressions change from dubious to delighted. By lying down and saying "Good night, Crunch" in a "calm and soothing voice," you might even get him—"tired from all the climbing and painting and socializing"—to lie down too. Is he asleep? Then close the book gently. The agenda is barely disguised, but the interchange between narrator and audience has an easy, natural flow.The approach works for shy nondinosaurs, too. (Picture book. 5-7)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Crunch-s name is in the title, but this very funny story is really about the relationship between the reader and Dunlap-s (This Book Will Not Be Fun) unseen, tightly wound narrator. The narrator-s goal seems sweet and straightforward enough: to introduce the reader, through some interactive prompts, to the pink and introverted Crunch, seen peering out from some thick foliage. But Crunch is exquisitely sensitive and eccentric, and the narrator, though struggling to stay upbeat, is clearly losing energy and patience. Urging readers to sing -Happy Birthday- to coax Crunch out, the narrator babbles a bit deliriously: -He loves birthdays because someone has one every day. He loves days in general. He-s very positive.- Pizzoli (Good Night Owl) draws Crunch as eager, friendly, and a total goofball; when Crunch thinks he has heard -good light- instead of -good night,- he shows up with a big smile and an armful of lamps. One senses that when it is all over and Crunch goes to sleep, the narrator will do so, too. Ages 3-7. Agent for author and illustrator: Steven Malk, Writers House. (May)

School Library Journal (Tue May 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

PreS-K Crunch is a hot-pink, nonthreatening dinosaur. An unseen narrator gives readers a series of directions on how to interact with him, setting up an entertaining, interactive story experience. Larger lessons about how to relate to others lurk beneath the surface of this lighthearted tale. Since Crunch is shy, the narrator suggests that readers "be the first to say hello," but not too loudly. When Crunch is scared off, luring him back involves singing the "Happy Birthday" song. Young children get practice in using quiet, loud, and medium voices, introducing themselves, and employing good manners. In the end, readers are prompted to bid Crunch good night and demonstrate how to lie down and get ready to sleep. Crunch's antics may not make this book the best for bedtime reading, but it is successful in exploring varying methods of communication. Humorous illustrations by Geisel-winner Pizzoli are rendered in an appealing childlike cartoon style, with the look of bright pastels. VERDICT Combine this book with Mo Willems's Edwina the Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct, Lisa Wheeler's "Dino-Sports" series, or Syd Hoff's classic Danny and the Dinosaur for a dynamic storytime. An excellent interactive choice. Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond