School Library Journal

K-Gr 2--Hoff'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. (Picture book. 3-7)"

Horn Book (Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 CST 1996)

When Danny brings his favorite dinosaur to camp, they enjoy boating, hiking, and roasting marshmallows. The newest adventure of the well-loved characters is predictable and satisfying. Hoff's characteristic cartoonish illustrations and easy-to-read text make the story accessible to the youngest readers.

ALA Booklist (Thu Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 1996)

Danny and his pal the dinosaur have been helping kids learn to read since the first book about them came out in 1958. In the latest series entry, Danny and the dino are off to camp, where the dinosaur fits in, albeit not without problems. He wins races too easily and hogs the ketchup; but when the campers get tired after a hike, it's nice to have a dinosaur's back to climb upon. The vocabulary and concepts as well as the full-color artwork are simple, but child pleasing. Another good start on the road to reading. (Reviewed Aug. 1996)