Book Review: A Very Dinosaur Birthday by Adam Wallace

 A Very Dinosaur Birthday

by

Adam Wallace

illustrated by Christopher Nielsen

 

Publisher: Harper Collins

Imprint: Thomas Nelson

Publication date: 20th June 2023

 5th July 2023 AUS

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 40

RRP: $12.99US $24.99AUD

Source: Courtesy of Smith Publicity 

 

Review: A Very Dinosaur Birthday

A Very Dinosaur Birthday is a funny, brightly illustrated rhyming story that will have kids laughing and eager to see what will happen next.

 

I'm not a big fan of 'fart' books but I know they are hugely popular with children and a vast array of titles can be found in any bookstore.

Jay loves dinosaurs but when I asked him if he wanted to listen to a new book he said no. So I decided to start reading it aloud. As soon as I read the first sentence - "Dinosaurs are big and strong, they're clumsy and they're farty." His ears pricked up. Then came the stinky, broken covered in mold presents and he was sold.

The book elicited lots of laughs and he was eager to hear it again. 

 

Jay understands the concept of fiction and that the dinosaurs, however well intentioned, can't do things that humans do.
The dinosaurs create much havoc doing conventional party games at a little boy's birthday party which causes him to be sad. But the dinosaurs save the day by engaging the children in lots of fun games you can only play with dinosaurs.

The cadence of the rhymes took me a few read throughs before the story flowed smoothly.

This is a fun book for any little dinosaur enthusiast. It opens with a double spread of dinosaur illustrations with names and also includes ideas for invitations, decorations, snacks and activities for your own dinosaur themed party.

 

Recommended age: 4+ years

 

Rating 4 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

 

About the author

 

Adam Wallace is a New York Times bestselling author, who has also had one of his books be a question on Jeopardy, and has also had one of his books read at the White House! Adam enjoys writing more than anything, but he likes drawing too, and doesn't mind long walks on the beach at sunset. Adam's previous books include How to Catch a Leprechaun and How to Catch an Elf (both New York Times bestsellers), How to Catch the Easter Bunny (read at the 2017 White House Easter Egg Roll), The Vanilla Slice Kid and SPARK.

 

 

 

 

 

Book Review: Dinosaur Bash & Dinosaur Chew by Peter Curtis

 Dinosaur Bash!

The Ankylosaurus

by

Peter Curtis

Dinosaur Chew!

The Iguanodon

by

Peter Curtis

 

 

Publisher: Macmillan Australia

 

Publication date: 9th August 2022

 

Genre: Children's

 

Pages: 22

 

RRP: $14.99AUD

 

Format read: Board book

 

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

My review

 

Dinosaur Bash and Dinosaur Chew are part of a collection of board books inspired by the classic picture book, Dinosaur Roar.

 

Each book features one dinosaur highlighting their unique features and personality.

 

Dinosaur Bash's large club on his tail, armoured plates and short legs made it hard for him to play with his friends as they were all scared of getting injured. Dinosaur Roar explains to him that his tail is special and rare but he needs to take care when playing.

Dinosaur Chew just wants to eat grass and laze in the sun all day. While watching his friends he was learning new ways of doing things and after a busy day all he wanted to do was laze in the sun.

Other dinosaurs in the series pop in and out of each story, sometimes helping and sometimes causing havoc.

This would have to be on of Jay's favourite series and his eagle eye spotted a new dinosaur and now he is eager for Dinosaur Thud's story.

I like how each dinosaur has a name that relates to their personality. They are like a little community. Jay can name them all and points them out as they appear in each other’s books.

We have always been big fans of Dinosaur Roar and Ten Terrible Dinosaurs and this new collection adds to the delight by naming the dinosaurs and giving them personalities.

The front of each book has the correct pronunciation of the dinosaurs scientific name. Which is very helpful as some are quite a mouthful. The rear of the book points out specific features of that dinosaur.

With bright illustrations and rhyming text these board books are sure to appeal to little dinosaur enthusiasts and their parents.

 

Our rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

 

 

Book Review: Dinosaur Honk & Dinosaur Squeak by Peter Curtis & Jeanne Willis

 Dinosaur Honk!

The Parasaurolophus

by

Jeanne Willis & Peter Curtis

Dinosaur Squeak

The Compsognathus

by

Jeanne Willis & Peter Curtis

Publisher: Macmillan Australia

 

Publication date: 22nd February 2022

 

Genre: Children's

 

Pages: 22

 

RRP: $14.99AUD

 

Format read: Board book

 

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

My review

 

 Dinosaur Honk and Dinosaur Squeak are part of a collection of board books inspired by the classic picture book, Dinosaur Roar.

Each book features one dinosaur highlighting their unique features and personality.

Dinosaur Honk’s honk annoys all the other dinosaurs. She’s too loud and causes chaos wherever she goes. Until one day she discovers that her honk might just come in handy.

Dinosaur Squeak is so tiny none of the other dinosaurs notice her or even hear her when she speaks! Though her best friend, dinosaur Roar, is always looking out for her, Squeak is determined to prove that she can survive all on her own.

Other dinosaurs in the series pop in and out of each story, sometimes helping and sometimes causing havoc.

Jay loves these books and we have read them over and over. When the next two in the series arrived he let out a squeal of delight. We have since purchased a couple more in the series and have our eye on the next ones we want to buy. Yes, WE! I enjoy these stories too. So much fun!

I like how each dinosaur has a name that relates to their personality. They are like a little community. Jay can name them all and points them out as they appear in each other’s books.

We have always been big fans of Dinosaur Roar and Ten Terrible Dinosaurs and this new collection adds to the delight by naming the dinosaurs and giving them personalities.

The front of each book has the correct pronunciation of the dinosaurs scientific name. Which is very helpful as some are quite a mouthful. The rear of the book points out specific features of that dinosaur.

With bright illustrations and rhyming text these board books are sure to appeal to little dinosaur enthusiasts and their parents.

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐