A small animal tries to defy expectations. Regina, a diminutive theropod, yearns to be a fearsome predator, but Mama tells her she's too little to join the hunt. Phooey, Regina thinks. She's not that little: She can roar and make scary faces, and she knows how to hide. She attempts to prove Mama wrong. First, Regina spies a tasty-looking morsel to chomp on--the tail of an enormous triceratops who, luckily, is a forgiving sort who merely scowls at her in displeasure. Next, she encounters a bulky ankylosaurus, who patiently (and a bit insultingly) humors her. Just when she's ready to give up and consider an herbivorous life, Regina sees a promising, smaller possibility--and a mammal to boot. Problem is, it hisses and chases the would-be predator. Fortunately, Mama appears, heads off disaster, and teaches Regina what's safe to hunt. A comic final twist upends Mama's solution somewhat. This cute story told with wry humor roars loudly to youngsters who want to step--tentatively--out of their parents' safe nests and test life's hunting grounds alone. The conclusion reassures kids that parents will always be there to welcome wanderers back and guide and comfort them whenever needed. The energetic, solid-lined ink illustrations are boldly colored, evoking the prehistoric landscape, and feature a big-eyed, ridiculously adorable protagonist with a lively personality. Occasional onomatopoeia and sound effects set in larger type enliven visuals and add humor. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11-by-17-inch double-page spreads viewed at 27.7% of actual size.) Fun for dinosaur mavens and brave young explorers who want to test their mettle. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Peeved when her T. rex mother won't let her go on a hunt ("Stay in the nest and be Mama's good little carnivore"), strong-willed Regina heads out on her own. The results are as predictable as they are funny, but plot is really secondary here--this latest by Zuill (Sweety) is about a singular personality asserting herself in the big, primeval world. Indelible Regina roars, slinks, sniffs, and pounces (a triceratops and ankylosaurus shrug her off); is haunted by the prospect of failure ("What if she has to live the rest of her life as... an HERBIVORE?!"); and turns on the charm when her mom catches her nearly becoming prey herself ("HI MOM!" Regina says, the dialogue balloon studded with treacly red hearts). Ink drawings sport elegant lines, delicate hatching, and washes of warm digital color reminiscent of vintage scientific illustration, and each vignette is a gem of comic timing and expression: readers will want to incorporate the conciliatory nose bump that mother and daughter dino share ("Boop!") into their own repertoire of affectionate moves. Ages 3--7. Agent: Erzsi Deak, Hen & Ink. (Apr.)

When Regina's mother goes on a hunt and leaves her behind ("Stay in the nest and be Mama's good little carnivore!"), Regina is furious. She may be small in stature, but she is not "little," and she heads out alone to prove it. The reader has already watched her direct a small but mighty roar at an unfazed flower and fix a bewildered beetle with a (theoretically) menacing glare, but for this hunt, Regina desires more challenging prey. She chomps on a heavily armored ankylosaurus and a gigantic triceratops, but they're simply amused. How can she show her true mettle if her prey won't cooperate? Is she destined to be a--gasp!--herbivore? Zuill's story is a playful delight, but the warm, digitally colored ink illustrations steal the show. Regina's expressions are priceless, and she becomes a fully realized character in only a few pages, her emotive eyes flashing with glee, rage, or panic in turn. Young readers (and their adults) will laugh out loud at the relatable protagonist and her adorable antics.