Dogosaurus Rex

Starred review from June 5, 2017
The smartest person in this delightfully mischievous story is the reader: he or she will instantly know that Sadie, Ben’s new shelter pet, isn’t a dog but an enormous green Tyrannosaurus rex. To all of the characters, however, Sadie is just a very big pooch, albeit one who is “kind of funny looking” (according to neighborhood kids), smashes cars and fruit stands when obeying Ben’s commands, and leaves a pile as big as Ben himself when she goes outside to “do her business.” “This dog sure is a lot of trouble,” says Ben’s mother. “We might have to bring her back to the shelter.” But Ben is determined to make his “dog” indispensable, and within a few pages, he inadvertently finds a way. Staniszewski (Power Down, Little Robot) keeps her ace poker face intact until the very end, and Hawkes’s (Have a Look, Says Book) watercolors play right along, evoking the earnest innocence of a small-town setting in a way that brings to mind vintage children’s books. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Ammi-Joan Paquette, Erin Murphy Literary.

May 15, 2017
The canon of books about oversized and/or inappropriate pets for kids gets yet another addition, but with a dinosaur, this one rises above the herd. At an animal shelter, Ben can't decide from among more than 20 "cute dogs and funny dogs and loud dogs and smelly dogs," but the giant Tyrannosaurus rex in a nearby cage seems just right. Ben calls her "Sadie," Sadie goes, "ROAR!" and, of course, it's love at first pet sighting. Things get complicated when it comes to feeding, disposing of dinosaur waste, and even bathing, when Sadie drinks the contents of an entire lake. But the dinosaur comes in handy foiling a fruit-stand robbery, turning Sadie from a town pariah to a beloved fixture: "The most popular dog in town." The text plays out the drama and redemption in simple, understated prose that gives free rein to Hawkes' wildly expressive illustrations of Sadie. While brown-skinned, black-haired Ben and the other humans of the book are drawn with dot eyes and in small scale, Sadie is impressively detailed, with big, kind eyes, complexly shaded skin, and a seemingly endless range of emotion. She grins with satisfaction, fetches a robber with steely determination, and enjoys a tickle with a floppy tongue hanging out and feet wiggling in the air. It may feel as though there are a few too many dinosaur picture books around, but for how well this one brings lovable Sadie to life, it deserves a place on the shelf. (Picture book. 4-7)

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July 1, 2017

PreS-Gr 2-Ben visits the pound with his mother to adopt a puppy and ends up leaving with a dinosaur. Hilarity ensues as he tries to treat his new pet, Sadie, like a dog. Poor Sadie cannot perform anything she is asked to do. She obliterates cars, destroys fruit stands, and won't even fit into her own house. Soon, the townsfolk turn on her and encourage Ben to take her back to the pound. One day, Sadie has the opportunity to prove her worth and chases a thief through the town and into the fields. Her dinosaur strength and speed render her more useful than any police officer. Could Sadie be helpful after all? Before long, Sadie charms her neighbors and is appreciated for the sweet pet she is. This upbeat and original story stresses the importance of compassion and giving everyone a second chance. Readers will learn how to look beyond appearances. Fans of Bob Shea's "Dinosaur Versus" series will notice similarities, particularly the outrageous scenarios and witty dialogue. The narrative is perfectly complemented by Hawkes's whimsical and colorful illustrations. VERDICT This is a delightful and funny read-aloud that will entice children of all ages.-Katherine Hickey, Metropolitan Library System, Oklahoma City

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