Title: Never Follow a Dinosaur
Author/Illustrator: Alex Latimer
Age Group: 2-6
Synopsis: Joe and his sister, Sally, find a mysterious set of footprints and use their deduction skills to imagine the creature that made them.
The Low Down:
When my father was young, he and his younger brother wanted to see a bear. So, they left a trail of honey down into their campsite and sat with a piles of stones. Sure enough, down came the bear. Unfortunately, the bear didn’t want to leave when they threw stones at it and it’s only due to a great deal of luck that I’m even here at all. I feel as though Joe and Sally, the main characters in this book, stumbled upon the same strain of luck in their dinosaur hunting, but do it with such sweetness that it becomes tenacious and endearing.
When Joe and Sally stumble upon dinosaur footprints, they follow them. Based on observations, they are able to deduce what the dinosaur is like. It enjoys swimming, is big, has a sore foot, and other unique attributes. It’s great at introducing the scientific theory of forming a hypothesis based on evidence and funny to boot. Sure, it’s not very likely to happen but that’s what makes it fun. Bug’s not quite at the deduction stage yet but he loved how Joe and Sally’s observations continued to build on the image of the plain old dinosaur that we are originally introduced to. The kids not only use the knowledge of the dinosaur to try to trap him but are accurate in their observations. Alex Latimer brings the story full circ
le and manages inserts his own wonderful form of humor in at the end.
The illustrations are cute and inventive. The dinosaur steals the show by growing more interesting and elaborate at every turn. This is a never ending source of amusement to Bug who loves giggling over the new additions with each page. The final trap is a great for introduction to cause and effect to younger ones and demonstrating the same to older readers. After reading this story, Bug insisted on strapping on his dinosaur tail, stomping through the house, and demanding cake. I’m not sure that’s the message Alex Latimer wanted kids to take away from this book but if it improves upon Bug’s imagination then I’m all for it.
Story Tips:
- After the first read through, it’s fun for your little dinosaur to act out the pages.
I need more!
Alex Latimer is one of our favorites. Check out this link for more info and my review of Pig and Small.
Add to my library:
UK Amazon:Never Follow a Dinosaur
US Amazon: Never Follow a Dinosaur
