I Want That Love

K-Gr 2—Following You Look Yummy! and You Are My Best Friend, the third in Japanese artist Miyanishi's "Tyrannosaurus" titles translated into English similarly relies on a blend of humor, irony, and unexpected tenderness that is roaring with kid appeal. Tyrannosaurus is strong, as "strength means everything" and "weaklings are worthless." He knows that in order to cultivate and keep the image of the strongest, one sometimes has to be "violent and mean" and, definitely, a bully. So terrify he does, but after age has taken its toll, some young whippersnapper masiakasaurus heckle him and bite his tail. Nursing both his tail and his ego, Tyrannosaurus leaves to be alone, but then he meets a yummy-looking baby triceratops. Rather than getting a delicious snack, he instead finds compassion. The young triceratops brings out a different side of him, a side he didn't know he had. Exploring themes of redemption and caring, the author emphasizes that after a selfless act of bravery, one that shows how love is more powerful than strength, Tyrannosaurus changes his legacy. Tyrannosaurus's possible death is delicately ambiguous, allowing readers to make their own assessment and possibly raising questions. Expressive and comiclike characters are especially kid-friendly, and Miyanishi's distinctive woodcutlike illustrations, which rely on an earthy, warm palette, create a vivid sense of place, one where the prehistoric setting practically extends off the pages.