Dinosaur Fright

Might doesn't always make right is the motivating theme of this friendly, unassuming tale. Dinosaurs of every description cavort beside a primeval lake until they are interrupted by an unruly herd of giant Brachiosaurus, who crash through the underbrush and nearly drain the lake with their careless splashing. A tiny Nanosaurus warns these huge pests of a monster but they are unimpressed: ``We're bigger than any monster.'' Led by the resourceful Nanosaurus, the other dinos construct an ingenious faux monster, involving fallen trees, fireflies and spider webs. The Brachiosaurus bunch awaken to find an eerie face looming on the horizon and, uncharacteristically, they turn and run. Lustrous colors, sharp definition and emotive faces mark Threadgall's double-page artwork, though at times his behemoths seem less than animated, as if the figures were superimposed onto the landscapes rather than actually belonging there. This minor shortcoming, however, will in no way detract from kids' enjoyment of these galumphing critters. Ages 3-up. (Mar.)