I Wanna Be a Great Big Dinosaur

I Wanna Be a Great Big Dinosaur by Heath McKenzie (Scholastic Press)

HB RRP $16.99

ISBN 978-1-74362-600-9

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

What does it take to be a great big dinosaur? T-Rex knows. And he can teach little boys all about roaring, and stomping, and eating. But maybe one little boy can teach T-Rex all about being a boy.

This imaginative romp takes the readers through the activities which occupy a boy – and a dinosaur- over one fun day.

The text forms part of the appealing page layout of this picture book, with changes of size and strength. The words bounce among the colourful and humorous illustrations. I especially enjoyed the page where the dinosaur discovers that there is more to food than just meat.

Inside the front cover is a realistic picture of dinosaurs in the prehistoric era which is repeated at the back of the book but with a young boy’s addition. The touches of tie-ins to the story are very clever.

Can a dinosaur really play soccer? Is a dinosaur any good at video games? Read this playful picture book to find out. A great book for preschoolers, particularly those with a love of dinosaurs.