Review: Daniel's Dinosaur

Daniel's Dinosaurs

Written by Mary Carmine

Illustrated by Martin Baynton

Publication date: 1997

Publisher: Scholastic New Zealand Limited
ISBN: 1-86943-328-9

Daniel loved dinosaurs.  And everywhere he went, he imagined he saw them.  Until one day, his mother took him to visit the aquarium...

Like Daniel, my little one looooves dinosaurs.  This book greatly appeals as for the majority of the book there are dinosaurs all over it - Daniel even imagines people as dinosaurs.  He lives next door to two Plateosaurs.  His teacher is a Diplodocus but sometimes she is a Tyrannosaurus.  But when Daniel's mum takes him to the aquarium, he develops a new obsession with fish and sea-life, which just so happens to be another love of my little dude (and if there were bus riding sea creatures with a dino driving this really would be the perfect book for him).  Great illustrations and easy reading text, this book is a great any time read.  Has the added benefit of a glossary of the dinosaurs mentioned at the back.

4/5

Review written by QTCass

Review: Captain Flinn and the Pirate Dinosaurs

Captain Flinn and the Pirate Dinosaurs

Written by Giles Andreae

Illustrated by Russell Ayto

Publication Date: 2005

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

ISBN-13: 978-0-140-56921-6

Summary/back cover:

When Flinn discovers a pirate hiding in a cupboard, it’s all aboard, me hearties, for a real live pirate adventure! But there are some mean baddies on the loose…

Will fearless Flinn be able to captain the ship and defeat the Pirate Dinosaurs?

This is a great tale of a boy and his friends who stumble across a pirate in the school stationary room and begin the adventure of a lifetime fighting dinosaur pirates.

If you are familiar with Giles Andreae’s other books this story isn’t told in rhyme but it does flow beautifully with lots of opportunities to “ROAR!” and “Yo ho ho!”

Although I’m not usually one for limiting a book’s audience I would say this one would suit a slightly older audience than my 23 month-old boys, who didn’t have the patience for all the words I had to read before the next page got turned. The illustrations are also more edgy and less cute and cuddly than some other children’s books.

All up a swash-buckling adventure probably best read to the 5+ age group, with obvious appeal for children who love pirates and/or dinosaurs.

My rating:  4 out of 5

Review written by team_s

Review: Dinosaurs Galore!

Dinosaurs Galore!

Written by Giles Andreae and Illustrated by David Wojtowycz

Publication date: 2005
Publisher: Orchard Books
ISBN: 978-1-84362-609-1

Summary/Back cover:
Some of them have huge long necks
And some have giant jaws
So come into the swampland
And let’s meet the dinosaurs!
A thumping good romp from an award-winning team, featuring all your favourite dinosaurs!

Review:
This is a book written in the same style as “Rumble in the Jungle”, “Commotion in the Ocean” and “Farmyard Hullaballo”. The book has simple, bright illustrations with a short rhyming text about each type of dinosaur. The pronunciation of each species in brackets. This is a firm favourite of my 3 year old son who is dinosaur mad.

4/5


Review written by Judith