Do Dinosaurs Make Good Pets?

January 18, 2016
In one of three titles joining the Dr. Dino’s Learnatorium series, Dr. Dino, a T. rex “with a Ph.D. in Universal Knowledge,” helps clear up misconceptions about dinosaurs. Irreverent narration carries readers through topics including when dinosaurs lived, how big they were, and theories about how they went extinct (“I don’t like to talk about the extinction of the dinosaurs—it’s very painful for me,” Dr. Dino says). Pinder’s b&w cartoons help sustain the playful mood (“Are you responsible for that?” a parent dinosaur asks its children, as a volcano erupts behind them). It’s a solid introduction to basic dinosaur facts, albeit without the bells and whistles of more expansive guides. Available simultaneously: How Do Astronauts Wee in Space? and How Many Greeks Can Fit Inside a Horse? Ages 9–12.

March 1, 2016

Gr 4-6-Dr. Dino, a tyrannosaur with a "Ph.D in universal knowledge" enthusiastically introduces prehistory, astronomy, and a mix of mythology and folklore in a fast-moving format. The books consist of strongly written short paragraphs encapsulating big topics with loose transitions, tied together by the narrator's snarky remarks about the superiority of dinosaurs and the inadequacies of teachers. These repetitious bits become tiresome. Still, the text is smoothly written, and the cartoon line drawings match the tone. Inconsistent use of punctuation and references to the metric system with abrupt changes to American standard measurements are small matters in the face of the lack of documentation. Nonetheless, the books are accurate. In Do Dinosaurs Make Good Pets, the low number of illustrations is made up for by the fun of figuring out which drawing matches which prehistoric creature's description. In all the titles, Mitchell covers the most sensational, scatological, and strangest facts to nudge readers to the next paragraph. VERDICT Risky purchase with mass-market appeal.-Nancy Call, Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Aptos, CA

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