Tyrannosaurus Wrecks!

February 3, 2014
Bardhan-Quallen and OHora may not have the monopoly on the pun around which this book is based, but that doesn’t stop them from having a blast with it. They take readers to a classroom where Apatosaurus colors a picture of a volcano, Gallimimus helps build a block tower, an overalls-wearing Iguanodon reads quietly, and Tyrannosaurus—well, you can probably guess. Ohora (No Fits, Nilson!) paints this antihero as a small orange terror in a striped shirt and sneakers, but his bad behavior quickly catches up with him, and his classmates shun him: “Tyrannosaurus leaving—/ Dinosaurs are glad./ Tyrannosaurus lonely,/ Miserable, and sad.” Bardhan-Quallen’s (Duck, Duck, Moose!) verse stomps along like T-Wrecks himself, but she makes it clear he’s not a bad guy; he tries hard to make amends, and the final scene proves he’s not the only tiny dino capable of making a mistake. Punchy writing, an equally in-your-face palette, and Ohora’s characteristically brash painting style make this as much a stompalong as a readaloud. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Rachel Orr, Prospect Agency. Illustrator’s agent: Sean McCarthy, Sean McCarthy Literary Agency.

October 1, 2014

PreS-Gr 2-While all of his other dinosaur friends are hard at work in the classroom, Tyrannosaurus wrecks everything! Students will get a kick out of the play on words with the perennial favorite dinosaur Tyrannosaurus rex. The story has a sing-songy flow that's perfect for a read-aloud. The story is narrated by L. J. Ganser, who creates a laugh-out-loud experience when Tyrannosaurus gets up to his classroom shenanigans. Young students will love to listen this story, which has lots of child appeal, while learning about some new dinosaurs at the same time, though they'd benefit from having the book in front of them while they listen. Surely the play on words will stir up some fun classroom conversation, too.-Jessica Gilcreast, Bedford School District, NH

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