Linus the Vegetarian T. rex

May 13, 2013
Neubecker’s vegetarian hero lives in the “Cretaceous Surprises” exhibit at the museum, which indeed holds surprises for a junior dinosaur expert named Ruth Ann MacKenzie. “First Linus attacked... a patch of arugula!” writes Neubecker (Time Out for Monsters!), in the first of several setups that seem to start out as examples of how prehistoric nature is red in tooth and claw, but actually illustrate what a sweetie Linus is (“It’s lovely to see you, Linus,” says Ellen, a mother triceratops that Ruth Ann was certain would become Linus’s dinner). Did Linus not get the memo? This tale of a dinosaur who munches to a different drummer radiates Neubecker’s customary energy and compositional inventiveness, but it isn’t quite up to his best work—the jokes about Linus being a softie are little too soft, Ruth Ann and Linus are genial but not particularly original personalities, and the ending runs out of steam. Still, the Neubecker touch is hard to resist, and the visual tastiness of these pages compensates for the slight story. Ages 3–7. Agent: Linda Pratt, Wernick & Pratt.

June 1, 2013
This dino with a penchant for greenery means well, but his tale is clearly hampered by its confusing message. If you want to know anything about dinosaurs, then the kid to talk to is Ruth Ann MacKenzie. A whiz at everything related to residents of the Cretaceous, she visits a mysterious new museum exhibit that plants her firmly in the past and within the protective sphere of Linus, a polite, blue T-Rex who wouldn't dream of eating meat. After watching him munch on plants and pal about with every creature he meets, Ruth Ann decides to set the sweet guy straight. Fortunately, her misguided attempts are interrupted by two hungry velociraptors who are put in their place by a clearly ferocious Linus. Conclusion? "I'm just me--a very big, very brave, very VEGETARIAN Tyrannosaurus rex!" Children may have a hard time determining what lesson they are to take from this. Are they meant to learn that vegetarianism doesn't make you a wimp? Or that it will win them hordes of adoring friends and fans? Or just not to make assumptions? (Kids like Ruth Ann will note Linus' many pointy teeth and wonder how he's going to negotiate that carrot....) Where the story falters, the art leaps and soars. From the many-colored eyes of the iguanodons to the velociraptors hidden on almost every page, the book is a visual treat. Though they may have fun with it, readers' attempts to sink their teeth into this story will find them gummed up with uncertain conclusions. (Picture book. 3-7)

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June 1, 2013

PreS-Gr 2-Ruth Ann MacKenzie is a proud member of the Museum of Natural History. Confident in her extensive knowledge of dinosaurs, she is eager to explore the Cretaceous Surprises exhibit. Stepping behind a gold curtain, she meets a big blue Tyrannosaurus rex named Linus. He takes her on a tour while hunting for his lunch. To Ruth Ann's amazement, he attacks a patch of arugula, stalks some "yummy broccoli," and pounces on "a plump tomato." Linus is a vegetarian. Along the way, they greet some of his dinosaur friends. Ruth Ann wants to know why Linus isn't acting like a fierce predator until they are approached by some scary velociraptors, and he frightens them away with a convincing roar. Linus proclaims, "I'm just me-a very big, very brave, very vegetarian Tyrannosaurus rex!" Neubecker created the character of Linus after reading an article about the Falcarius utahensis, a dinosaur that evolved from a meat eater to a vegetarian. The illustrations are digitally colored India ink drawings of smiling dinos in their prehistoric habitat. Fans of the T. rex and triceratops may enjoy this title paired with The Dinosaur Museum (National Geographic, 2008) to learn more about these fascinating creatures.-Linda L. Walkins, Saint Joseph Preparatory High School, Boston, MA

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