PreS-Gr 2-Palatini and Bowers have a winner in this hilarious story about an awkward subject. Gorgonzola the dinosaur isn't mean, he isn't scary, and he isn't fierce. But boy does he stink! He smells so "doggone awful" that no one can stand to be around him. The poor guy doesn't even realize his offense until a plucky bird finally tells him, "You could petrify a rock with that prehistoric aroma of yours." He was an orphaned egg and had to hatch himself; he never had a mother to tell him about soap, toothbrushes, or blowing his nose. Birdie decides to help and soon has her new friend spiffed up and ready to join the rest of civilization, "proud to be the first dinosaur declared `ex-stink.'" The over-the-top illustrations of the grossed-out dinosaurs running in alarm from the steaming Gorgonzola will bring belly laughs to children and inspiration to the grown-ups who have to wrestle them into the bathtub or dentist's chair. Witty dialogue and an effective layout get the personal hygiene message across without being preachy or didactic. Gorgonzola has loads of child appeal and will be enjoyed for its humor and charm.-Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

A huge dinosaur with equally huge D.O. gets a personal hygiene makeover, thanks to coaching from an irritated avian victim. Cast as a massive blue-green triceratops with ropy strands of slime dripping from mouth and nose, Gorgonzola looks more puppylike than fearsome, but all flee at his approach nonetheless. A bird mom finally tells him why ("You're a Primo Stinko!"), then takes him step by step through a vigorous brushing of teeth, a gargle with mouthwash, a soapy bath--"Woah! WOAH! Don't just splash. You gotta scrub, boy! Scrub!"--and an exuberant powdering. "I feel like a real humane being," he crows. "How often do I have to do this?" Bowers hangs a whistle around Birdie's neck and tucks other visual jokes into his scratchy prehistoric scenes. Redolent with high-spirited humor and capped by a magnificent pun, this should make persuasive reading for any young monster who heads the other way when bath time rolls around. (Picture book. 5-8) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.