The Three Little Dinosaurs

The Three Little Dinosaurs

A pea-brained T-Rex learns what bullies so often discover: that little dinosaurs--or little children--grow up . . . sometimes way up! Kindergarten-Grade 3-Three young Brachiosaurs go off to live on their own after being warned by their mother to watch out for the "big bad Tyrannosaurus rex." The first two do not build sturdy homes and the T-Rex demolishes them. Luckily, the dinosaurs escape to their brother's solid rock house, which the big bully can not blow down. The three live safely while Rex, with his peanut-sized brain, takes "years" to devise a plan to break into the house. After finally destroying it, he looks for the little dinos, only to find that they have grown into huge reptiles that tower over him. He runs off and is never seen again. This variation of a favorite nursery tale has charming illustrations. The little dinosaurs are lovable while the Tyrannosaurus is a suitable ogre. Deep greens and browns abound. The humorous text depicts these modern beasts playing video games, ordering pizza, and talking about insurance. When librarians can get this book out of the hands of dinosaur lovers, it can be used for fractured fairy-tale fun along with Jon Scieszka's The True Story of the Three Little Pigs (Viking, 1989). Anne Knickerbocker, Cedar Brook Elementary School, Houston, TX Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, there were three little dinosaurs. No, not pigs. Dinosaurs. Brachiosaurs, to be exact. This was before pigs even existed. So, please, whatever you do, do NOT call them pigs. They hate that. What these three brothers loved was to shoot hoops, read comic books, and play video games--probably just like you. One day, however, the time came for the brothers to move out on their own. Going their separate ways, but promising to stay in touch, the trio ventured out, well aware of their mother's warning about the big, bad T-Rex. The Rex was a bully who liked to chase and catch the dinosaurs that were smaller than him. He did this because he was always hungry, and the little dinos looked so tasty. Although the brachiosaur brothers were old enough to move out on their own, they were still little. They still had a lot of growing to do. (Just like you!) The Rex eventually tracked the brothers down. But while he had the brawn, he also had a brain the size of a pea (and that's pretty small)! The brothers had big brains and quick feet. With that combination, they could teach the Rex a thing or two. Who knows? The Rex might even learn what bullies so often discover--that little dinosaurs (or little boys and girls) grow up to be big . . . sometimes very big! Jim Harris, prolific author and illustrator of numerous children's books, counts among his many prizes the coveted Communication Arts' Award of Excellence. His popular, critically acclaimed works include Three Little Javelinas, Ten Little Dinosaurs, and Tuesday in Arizona. The last book was written by his wife, Marian, and was published by Pelican. Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, there were three little dinosaurs. No, not pigs. Dinosaurs. Brachiosaurs, to be exact. This was before pigs even existed. So, please, whatever you do, do NOT call them pigs. They hate that. What these three brothers loved was to shoot hoops, read comic books, and play video games--probably just like you. One day, however, the time came for the brothers to move out on their own. Going their separate ways, but promising to stay in touch, the trio ventured out, well aware of their mother's warning about the big, bad T-Rex. The Rex was a bully who liked to chase and catch the dinosaurs that were smaller than him. He did this because he was always hungry, and the little dinos looked so tasty. Although the brachiosaur brothers were old enough to move out on their own, they were still little. They still had a lot of growing to do. (Just like you!) The Rex eventually tracked the brothers down. But while he had the brawn, he also had a brain the size of a pea (and that's pretty small)! The brothers had big brains and quick feet. With that combination, they could teach the Rex a thing or two. Who knows? The Rex might even learn what bullies so often discover--that little dinosaurs (or little boys and girls) grow up to be big . . . sometimes very big! Jim Harris, prolific author and illustrator of numerous children's books, counts among his many prizes the coveted Communication Arts' Award of Excellence. His popular, critically acclaimed works include Three Little Javelinas, Ten Little Dinosaurs, and Tuesday in Arizona. The last book was written by his wife, Marian, and was published by Pelican. Jim Harris, a prolific illustrator of children's books and freelance artist, employs great detail and often humor in his artwork. His trademark style has earned him numerous awards, including a silver medal from the Society of Illustrators, the coveted Communication Arts' Award of Excellence, the Colorado Children's Book Award, a Wes