Ai & Aiko and the Dinosaur Hug

K-Gr 3–In this sequel to Draw’s Ai & Aiko and the Little Curve, illustrated in the same style and with the gentle, kind child with paper-white skin and a bird-shaped mass of hair returns to impart a lesson in friendship. Ai and his friends are playing in the snow when they discover a dinosaur. They’re unsure how to interpret the dinosaur’s growls; he looks sad, and they initially think he’s cold. After attempting to placate the dinosaur with myriad warm things—hot chocolate, a hat, and mittens—Ai remembers that sometimes someone just needs a hug—and that hug leaves the dinosaur smiling. The value of hugs, the confusion children can feel, the challenge of interpreting a being who growls, and the importance of not giving up when guessing incorrectly are all themes that deserve attention, but this treatment is too mild to make an impression.