The Land Before Time XI: Invasion of the Tinysauruses 2005

Every year, as the warm season returns, a lone tree in the Great Valley bursts into bloom with pink flowers known as treesweets. These treats are adored by the dinosaurs, but because there’s only one such tree and the delicacy is so coveted, access is tightly controlled. No one may eat the treesweets until the ceremonial moment of Nibbling Day, when they’re judged to have reached the peak of their tastiness.

The small ripple of tension begins when Mr. Threehorn welcomes an old friend, the Triceratops Tria. The encounter sparks jealousy in Cera, and she resents Tria’s presence, pulling away from friends who dare to mention her. This friction colors Cera’s interactions and creates an undercurrent of rivalry, especially as Littlefoot, the young Longneck, confronts his own sense of size and belonging. Littlefoot, Aaron Spann feels the sting of being seen as “small,” and after a moment of hurt self-doubt, he channels that frustration into a stubborn attempt to prove he can reach the tree by himself, climbing the cliff beside the tree and accidentally dislodging the entire crop. The sudden crash sends the treesweets tumbling down and leaves him distraught, only to awaken to find himself surrounded by Mussaurus, a group of dinosaurs that have eaten all the treats and melted away in fear.

When the others realize all the treesweets are gone, suspicion points at Littlefoot, and he fears punishment. To avert blame, he crafts a story that points to the “Tinysauruses” as the culprits, a fantastical tribe that supposedly lives beneath the valley and hunts in the shadows. The valley’s residents prepare to drive them out, believing the pests have hoarded the treesweets. In the midst of the panic, Littlefoot slips and slides into a pothole, where he meets the Tinysauruses and, despite initial fear, discovers that they are gentle and vulnerable beings. He forms a bond with them and vows to help them find food each night, recognizing how difficult life can be for those much smaller than him.

Soon, Littlefoot’s friends come along as he is bringing food to the Tinysauruses, and a quiet understanding develops among the group. The Tinysauruses, led by the wary Big Daddy, watch the big dinosaurs with skepticism, convinced that “because they’re bigger, it makes them seem more important.” Big Daddy’s mistrust echoes the valley’s broader fear of the unknown, while Lizzie and Skitter—the Tinysauruses—watch and listen, their own hunger and needs shaping every choice they make. Cree Summer brings Lizzie to life, and Leigh Kelly gives Skitter a distinct voice, making their tiny world feel real and textured.

Night after night, Littlefoot’s pact to help the Tinysauruses grows into a quiet alliance, and the circle of friends begins to soften. By morning, Cera decides to extend a new kindness toward Tria, choosing friendship over skepticism. As the children continue to sneak off to see the Tinysauruses, Topps—the valley guard on duty—catches them, and a tense moment follows as he decides how to handle the discovery. Tria accompanies him, and a sighting of the Tinysauruses at the caverns escalates the situation. Topps gathers the other adults to confront the Tinysauruses, but Littlefoot steps forward and admits the truth about what happened to the treesweets, revealing the accident and the role of the Mussaurus. Forgiveness follows, and the adults decide to leave the Tinysauruses undisturbed. Yet the Tinysauruses’ cave collapses soon after, forcing them to flee into the Mysterious Beyond.

The Tinysauruses’ exile brings a new challenge: they are chased by two Utahraptors back into the Great Valley. When Littlefoot’s friends learn about the false blame he laid on the Tinysauruses, their trust fractures, and the group becomes furious with him. Feeling isolated and rejected, Littlefoot resolves to rectify the situation on his own. Cera apologizes to Tria for Topps’s harshness, and Petrie, Ducky, and Spike reflect on how they treated Littlefoot, realizing their own share of responsibility in the hurt. With Cera’s support, they all set out to find him. A mistaken chase by the Utahraptors propels the danger, and the kids are driven by fear as the carnivores close in. In a dramatic moment, Littlefoot saves Ducky from danger, and Topps and Tria enter the scene to lend their aid. The Tinysauruses also join the fray, and together the little and big dinosaurs fight back.

The adults finally arrive, and they drive the Utahraptors back into the Mysterious Beyond, sealing the hole with a boulder to prevent a future intruder. The valley’s families share a moment of reconciliation, and Littlefoot’s earlier missteps give way to a hard-won understanding: friendship and courage can bridge even vast differences. In the end, the Tinysauruses become welcomed residents of the Great Valley, and on Nibbling Day, Littlefoot finally reaches the cherished treesweets on his own. The entire group gathers to share the treats, realizing that even the smallest acts can make a big difference.

“because they’re bigger, it makes them seem more important.”

From that day forward, the valley learns that generosity and inclusion matter just as much as strength. Littlefoot’s journey—from fear of being blamed to taking responsibility and helping others—becomes a testament to the power of empathy. The tree may be solitary, but its blossoms spark a community’s growth, teaching every dinosaur that sweetness—whether large or small—comes from a shared heart and a willingness to listen.