Santa Claws

Reptiles from the Cretaceous Period, they’re just like us—at least when it comes to Christmas traditions, according to Heos and Bernstein’s lighthearted snapshot of a T. rex known as Santa Claws. Images in a range of greens and browns, often accented with lush ferns or other flora, feature friendly-faced creatures. Young dinos sit on the lap of the red-hatted terrible lizard, ask for chiseled toys, and leave out scavenged meat for the figure. Though some rhymes are uneven, scenes depicting families making holiday preparations or receiving gifts sustain a joyful energy, and youngest dino fans will clamber to see smiling “Tricera-moms and ’cera-pops/ Hang stockings for tricera-tots” in this punny offering: “Merry Christmas to all—/ I shall try not to bite.” Features fact-filled closing pages. Ages 4–8. (Sept.)