
A parent should reach for this book when their child needs a pure, silly laugh without any heavy lessons. This zany adventure follows two very hungry T. Rexes who stumble into a time machine and land in modern America. Their delight in discovering pizza and doughnuts is matched only by the chaos they cause, leading to a comical confrontation with the police. The story is driven by curiosity and joy, with a dash of gentle peril that adds excitement. Perfect for emerging readers ages 6 to 8, its comic-panel style and minimal text make it an engaging, low-stakes choice for kids who love dinosaurs, slapstick humor, and pure, unadulterated fun.
The book features a scene where police officers arrive and point objects that look like cartoonish guns or tasers at the dinosaurs. The situation is presented as mild peril within a comedic chase scene. It is not a direct commentary on law enforcement but a classic trope of a misunderstanding leading to chaos. The resolution is escape, not de-escalation or understanding. The approach is entirely secular and humorous.
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Sign in to write a reviewThe ideal reader is a 6 or 7-year-old who is obsessed with dinosaurs and loves slapstick comedy. This book is perfect for a reluctant reader transitioning to independent reading, as the graphic-novel-lite format with minimal text is highly accessible and rewarding. They are a child who enjoys absurd “what if” scenarios and is not overly sensitive to cartoon peril.
A parent may want to preview pages 28-31, which depict the police confronting the dinosaurs with weapons drawn. The art is cartoony and not graphic, but it’s worth a look to ensure it’s a good fit for the individual child. Otherwise, the book requires no context and can be read cold for maximum surprise and fun. A parent has noticed their child is in a “silly phase” and wants a book that is just for fun, without a moral or lesson. Or, the parent is looking for a high-interest book for a child who loves dinosaurs but is intimidated by text-heavy books. The trigger is the need for pure, motivating entertainment.
A 6-year-old will primarily enjoy the visual gags and the simple pleasure of seeing dinosaurs eat junk food. The police are simply part of the chase. An 8-year-old will better appreciate the “fish out of water” humor, the absurdity of the situation, and may have more complex thoughts about the ending, speculating on where the dinosaurs will go next.
Unlike many dinosaur books that focus on facts or prehistoric life, this book uses dinosaurs purely as comedic protagonists in a time-travel farce. Its hybrid picture book/graphic novel style, emphasis on visual storytelling, and focus on the hilarious clash between prehistoric creatures and modern junk food culture give it a unique and highly entertaining edge.
Two dinosaurs, a large T. Rex and a smaller one, are looking for a meal when they discover a time machine. It transports them to a modern American city where they are thrilled to find an abundance of food, joyfully eating pizza, doughnuts, and hot dogs. Their size and voracious appetites cause a public panic, which attracts the attention of the police. Frightened by the officers, the dinosaurs flee back to the time machine and activate it again, hurtling off to an unknown time period in a cliffhanger ending.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.