The iguanodon's Horn by Sean Rubin**

 Mr. Rubin put a lot of thought and research into creating this book (even his explanation of his art and typeset in the fine print is humorous. The typeface reflects the subject matter-one used for scientific publications in the paleotology beginnings). His art and page layouts are engaging and carry significance.

Before the title page, Mr. Rubin is capturing the reader's attention. Mr. Rubin explains how the understanding of science and dinosours has transformed over time by following what different artists and scientists thought the iguanodon looked like.

**Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Dino Poet by Tom Angleberger

 A graphic novel

A dinosaur learns the finer points of poetry from a frog he wants to eat. To save himself, the frog distracts the dinosaur with poetry lessons. In the end, a friendship and a poet are born.

Reluctant readers and reluctant poets will enjoy this book.  A basic introductory to poetry and different poetry forms

-Borrowed from the library

Goldilocks & the Three Dinosaurs by Mo Willems**

 How could I have missed this book?!! My friend, who was at the library when I was there, recommended this book. It is hilarious!

Three dinosaurs carefully prepare their house so they can enjoy a chocolate-filled-little-girl-bonbon. Humor and sarcasm abound!

**Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

If Monet Painted a Monster and more in the series by Amy Newbold illustrated by Greg Newbold

 Cleverly this husband-wife team incorporates monsters in famous artists' works. At the back they offer a brief, interesting biography of each artist mentioned. Comparing the art depicted in this picture book to the actual art would be a beneficial and a memorable experience.

This team has also written If Picasso Painted a Snowman and If da Vinci Painted a Dinosaur. I have requested both titles from the library and will review them soon.

More in the series:

If Picasso Painted a Snowman-same idea as above   Featured artists: Picasso, Joseph Mallord William Turner, Roy Lichtenstein, Georgia O'Keeffe, Gustav Klimt, Claude Monet, Pablita Velarde, Jackson Pollock, Slavador Dali, Paul Klee, Marc Chagall, Georges Seurat, Piet Mondrian, Sonia Delaunay, Jacob Lawrence, Vincent van Gogh, Grant Wood

Idea: This coming school year I may have my seventh grader read this book and then have him create a snowmen in the style of the two artists we are studying (Whistler and Millet).

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These books are so clever and will help focus the reader on the artist's style. Very talented author-illustrator team!

Another book in the series-If da Vinci Painted a Dinosaur  The dinosaurs depicted are listed in the back. Advice for artists is included.

  Artists featured in this book-Leonardo da Vinci, Edgar Degas, Cassius Marcellus Coolidge, Katsushika Hokusai, Mary Cassatt, Grandma Moses, Frida Kahlo, Qi Baishi, Henri Matisse, Andy Warhol, Diego Rivera, Franz Marc, Aaron Douglas, Harrison Begay, Alma Woodsey Thomas, Mark Rothko, Lois Mailou Jones, Marguerite Thompson Zorach, Edvard Munch

Bolivar by Sean Rubin*

Sybil knows there is a dinosaur living next door to her in New York City, but no one believes. Everyone is too busy to pay attention.  Then someone does see him and draws attention to the dinosaur and all havoc breaks loose!  Can Sybil save her friend?
Wonderful illustrations!
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Edge of Extinction -Code Name Flood by Laura Martin

This sequel to The Ark Plan begins immediately where the reader left Sky and her friends.  At the water lab, scientists are creating ways to save the dinosaurs, contrary to Noah's plan.
Tons of action and adventure!
My ten year old read this book to himself.

Dinosaur Cove #5 Catching the Velociraptor by Rex Stone*

Tom and Jamie follow a velociraptor that has stolen Jamie's lunch and Fossil Finder.  They find themselves in danger when they run into a raptor den!
My eight year is reading this series.  They are so exciting that he reads them in one sitting!
This series was originally published in Britain (24 titles).  Unfortunately, the United States has published only #1-9.
Perfect series for reluctant readers and boys.
Point to discuss: evolutionary viewpoints
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Edge of Extinction : The Ark Plan by Laura Martin*

Sky has lived her entire twelve years underground in the North Compound.  For one hundred fifty years cloned dinosaurs have ruled the above ground world.  Now a message from her missing father requires Sky to sneak above ground and deliver a memory card to someone in Lake Michigan.  All of her life she thought no one lived above ground!
To survive above ground, Sky must adjust to a new way of thinking and moving.  The doctrine she has been taught begins prove erroneous and deceitful.
*Highly recommend for upper elementary and junior high (perfect for reluctant readers in this age group).
Very exciting with memorable characters and escapes from vicious dinosaurs.
Warning/potential concerns: Violence: Sky finds out that her mother did not die while giving birth to her but was murdered.  Dinosaur attacks may be scary for younger readers.  The marines use guns to try to harm/kill Sky and her friends.  The one marine leader is evil and hints that Sky's father was murdered.  Evolution theory is treated as fact.


Sequel to this book just came out at the end of May 2017-https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062416254/edge-of-extinction-2-code-name-flood

Can I Have a Stegosaurus, Mom? Can I? Please!? by Lois G. Grambling illustrated by H.B. Lewis

A boy shares all the reasons why his mom should allow him to own a stegosaurus.
The mom never replies with her opinion.
A funny ending.
-Borrowed from the library.
Mentor text-persuasive/opinion writing

Who Would Win? Triceratops vs. Spinosaurus by Jerry Pallotta illustrated by Rob Bolster*

The latests "Who Would Win" book.
Mr. Pallotta reveals each creature's attributes and then the animals face off.  A battle ensues with only one victor.
Perfect for boys and reluctant readers.
*Highly recommend series.
-We own this book.

Prehistoric Actual Size by Steve Jenkins

What an awesome and amazing book!
Pull out pages reveal how big prehistoric animals were.
Point to discuss: Old earth view (millions, billions years ago; "one of the first animals to appear on Earth" etc).
The main body of the text is sparse but the back provides a lot more details about each featured animal.  So it is a "multi-aged book".
*Borrowed from the library.

A-Z Mysteries The Talking T-Rex by Ron Roy*

I read this book aloud to my preschooler and my 8 year old read it to himself.
Jud, a friend from the book The Ninth Nugget, comes to town with a large  dinosaur.    Jud's best friend Dean sits inside the hollow dinosaur and runs a computer to make the dinosaur talk and move.   Jud, Dean and Scoop (a friend who is their manager) travel from town to town charging a dollar for people to view the dinosaur.  The money is going to be used to build a museum in Jud's hometown.  Then one morning Jud discovers that all the money they have earned so far is gone.
Can Dink, Josh and Ruth Rose figure out who stole the money and where the money is hidden?
*Highly recommend for transitional readers and for preschoolers who like hearing chapter books read aloud.
Guided Reading Level: N (Beginning of 3rd grade)
Grade Level Equivalent: 2.5

Geronimo Stilton-The Journey Through Time-Dinosaur Disaster*

My second grade son read this book.
Geronimo, the mouse, travels in time to the prehistoric world.  By accident Geronimo's cousin activates chronometer and the Mouse Mover 3000 (the time machine) takes him to the land of dinosaurs where many adventures with dinosaurs take place.
Grade Level Equivalent: 4.4

Tyrannoclaus by Janet Lawler

A dinosaur "twas the night before Christmas" version.
A must read for all dino lovers at Christmas!
Rhyming text

Kid Sheriff and the Terrible Toads by Bob Shea illustrated by Lane Smith

A humorous story how Kid Sheriff and his obsession with dinosaurs puts away the three worse criminals in the western town of Drywater Gulch.
Funny ending-Mr. Shea does a great job leading up to the ending-making it somewhat predictable but not too much.
The grammar and the dialect of the terrible Toads and other townspeople bothered me a lot while I read this aloud.  It does create an authentic mood but I did not enjoy reading  it!  I can see someone else reading this aloud, really getting into the dialect and improper grammar to make it really funny to hear.
The illustrations are depicted in hues of red, orange and brown.

The Triceratops Tuff by Stephen Shaskan

The three Tuff dinosaur brothers wish to indulge in the tasty green grass on the other side of the valley.  Who is standing post in the valley?  The ferocious T-Rex, of course.
A fun fractured tale of the Three Billy Goats Gruff.
Dino-lovers will enjoy it.

Danny and the Dinosaur Go to Camp by Syd Hoff*

"An I Can Read Book Level 1"
Guided Reading Level: H
*Highly recommend for beginning readers.

Dinosaurs Love Underpants by Claire Freedman illustrated by Ben Cort*

How did the dinosaurs become extinct?  This funny, rhyming book shares one theory!
*Highly recommend.

Dinosaur Cove #9 Tracking the Diplodocus by Rex Stone*

Sadly the last one from this series published in the U.S.
Tom and Jamie are innocently watching birds when a diplodocus swoops down to eat a branch.  The branch becomes stuck in its mouth.  Tom and Jamie help him out.
(Summary by my seven year old)
*Highly recommend entire series.
For dino lovers, reluctant readers, building stamina.

Dinosaur Cove #8 Swimming With the Plesiosaur by Rex Stone*

Tom and Jamie go snorkeling in dinosaur time and encounter a very hungry plesiosaur.
Very exciting!
My seven year old devours these books!
*Highly recommend.