Hello, friends! Our book today is Vacation For Dexter! by Lindsay Ward, third in the delightful Dexter T. Rexter series.

Dexter (a high-energy and big-personality orange dinosaur toy) is back with his boy, Jack, for another adventure. This time, the two are going with Jack’s family on vacation! Loaded up in the car, Dexter is excited about all his vacation gear and the fun he and Jack will have; that is, until the car stops in front of the airport. Hang on – T-Rex arms are far too small to fly! Once on the plane, Dexter panics about the prospect of flying in his usual way: full-on meltdown of anxiety and nervous chatter. But when he looks up, he notices that Jack is looking pretty fearful too… which is all it takes for Dex to conquer his fears.

Encouraging and fun. As always, Dexter’s histrionics in the face of his fears are the comedic centerpiece, and they are still especially fun to read aloud in a panicked voice. Especially sweet here is the extended interaction between Jack and Dexter, and how Dex finds the strength to check his own fears in order to help deal with Jack’s. There’s also a nice subtext of getting over one’s anxieties about flying, nicely timed with spring and summer coming up. Ward’s illustrations, a mixture of paint, paper textures, and digital art is accessible and bright, and Dexter’s hilarious expressions and body language are a joy. The length was fine, and JJ loved it. Fun, silly, full of heart, and it’s Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by a representative of the author in exchange for an honest review.)