How to Take Care of Your Dinosaur
Jason Cockcroft, Author-Illustrator
Nosy Crow, Fiction, 2019
Suitable for Ages: 2-5
Themes: Dinosaur, Pet, Owner’s Guide, Humor, Friendship Imagination
Opening: Congratulations on your new dinosaur! When you first meet him, you might find that he is surprisingly shy. But don’t worry. He’ll soon come out of his shell!
Book Jacket Synopsis:
Taking care of your very own dinosaur can be a bit tricky at first. But if you follow a few simple guidlines, like making sure he gets plenty of food and exercise and remembering to clean up his gigantic poop, you may find you’ve made a lifelong friend.
Why I like this book:
What a hoot! How to Take Care of Your Dinosaur is both utterly delightful and an imaginative picture book for young children. Which means kids will be tickled by all the things the boy must do to care for his gigantic pet — starting with a healthy breakfast and trying to figure out how a shovel BIG dinosaur poop into a wheel barrel.
The text is written like a manual for owning and taking care of a pet, which can easily be translated into a guide for any child thinking about getting a new dog, hampster or cat.
The illustrations are oversized, as is the large green dinosaur, with his short legs and long tail. Each page is packed with fun details that children will have a grand time exploring. My favorites include the boy’s dog’s reaction to meal times, the poop, bath time and bedtime. Hilarious! And, make sure you check out the funny end papers of the delivery man.
Resources: This is a great read aloud at home or school! Let kid’s imaginations soar as you encourage them to draw a colorful picture of the dinosaur they might like to own. What color of dinosaur would they pick? What would they name their dinosaur? Where would their dinosaur live? Would they really want a dinosaur for a pet? Or would they prefer another animal for a pet like a crocodile, horse, giraffe, or elephant. Have fun with this book!
Jason Cockcroft was born in New Zealand and raised in England. He is the illustrator and author of more than forty books for children, and he illustrated U.K. covers for the last three books in the Harry Botter series. He’s very happy to live in Addingham, England, a beautiful city that sounds like church bells, smells like chocolate, and is invaded by Vikings all year round.
This seems so lighthearted and joyful! Love that it takes him time to “come out of his shell”—so cute!
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Young children would love the idea of having a dinosaur for a pet! So, I can see how this book will spark many questions.
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Sounds adorable!
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It is adorable and very humorous!
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I remember back when I was a child, I thought it would be fun to discover an egg, bring it home, and be surprised when a dinosaur hatched out. I have a feeling I’m going to love this book. Thank you for sharing it today.
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That is so funny — you did have a big imagination as a child. I would never have though about a dinosaur. They were bones in the museums.
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Getting a new dinosaur sounds a little like getting a new puppy – but with bigger cleanup.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
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A huge cleanup that even the boy doesn’t know how to handle. Yes, this book does open the discussion for talking about getting a new pet.
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I can just see the kids rolling on the floor laughing at a wheelbarrow full of dinosaur poop. We have a large dog, so you can imagine that my son has already commented on the size of the piles he has to pick up, LOL. That cover is so lovable, too. Who could resist that darling pet? Thanks for the rec, Patricia!
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It is a darling book, especially for kids who long for a pet. Although I think I would choose a Pegasis or Alicorn with sparkly poop.
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Sounds like a good one for storytime! I will be trying to do virtual ones for the bookstore, but still nervous about it. We shall see!
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It is a great read aloud book in the classroom. Fun book to discuss!
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I love funny books! And dinosaur books. And caring books. Looks like a winner to me! Thank you for your thoughtful and thorough reviews, Pat.
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Thanks for stopping. It is an entertaining book. I personally would go for a pet Pegasus.
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This sounds like an adorable picture book! I appreciate the pun you quote about the dinosaur “coming out of its shell.” Thanks for the great review!
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Thank you for your comments. It is so hilarious! The boy is clueless in some scenes!
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I love the comment of the deliveryman! Can’t wait to see this one. I mean, who doesn’t want a dinosaur…except if I could choose, I’d rather have a dragon. Great activities, Patricia. Thanks!
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It is a very entertaining book to read out loud at school. Personally, I’d rather have a unicorn, pegasus or dragon as a pet.
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I will have to tell the neighbor about this one. Earlier this week she was asking me for suggestion on a funny picture book for her dinosaur loving 3-year-old. This one is perfect. Thanks for the good timing!
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Glad you saw my review! It is so funny!
Are we posting on Memorial Day?
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This book sounds such fun, Patricia. Who doesn’t like a dinosaur or two. I just love that opening!
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It is a very entertaining book for kids! And a good way to talk about taking care of a new pet.
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Yes, I can see that too.
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