Author: Carol Greathouse
Illustrator: John Shroades
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile, 2009, Fiction
Age Range: 3-5 years
Theme/Topics: dinosaurs, cowboys, tall tales, geography
First Page: Back when the old, old West was still as green as a bristlecone pine and cowboys were as common as warts on a Stegasaurus, one cowboy stood out among all cowboys. He was as strong as an Iguanadon and as fast as a Utah Raptor, and his name was Rocky.
Now, Rocky weren't a big feller, but his size didn't matter.
Synopsis (from Amazon): With the strength of an Iguanodon and the speed of a Utah Raptor, lasso-tossing, Pleiosaurus-riding Rocky is legendary. There isn't a dinosaur in the land that would think of giving Rocky a lick of trouble. That is, until he meets T. Rex, the rip-roarin'est, snip-snortin'est, flame-breathin'est reptilian ever to stomp the earth. But Rocky is up to the challenge, and his efforts to tame T. Rex take the disagreeing duo on a Western adventure of epic proportion.
Resources: Here's some kid activities on cowboys and some on dinosaurs. I know there are TONS more out there. You could also read other tall tales to the kids (there are some VERY fun ones out there - and here is a link to some animated ones)
Why I Love This Book: What more perfect combination (especially for boys) is there than dinosaurs and cowboys? And the tall tale aspect of this (with great word pictures and exaggeration - and the cowboy dialect) make it a VERY fun read. Plus the kids will learn about dinosaurs, a bit about the Old West, AND tall tales. And add in a bit of U.S. geography for good measure, and you've got a winner in my book! The illustrations were great too. Just a fun book all around.
Susanna Leonard Hill is celebrating the 100th Perfect Picture Book Friday at her blog with a giveaway - so be sure to stop by there and enter - and check out the other perfect picture books in her HUGE collection.
My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Psalm 45:1
This is a different twist on a dinosaur book. Sounds like a fun but educational book! Really like the cover!
ReplyDeleteLoved the cover too - and the illustrations inside are similar. Fun and educational is right. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteAnd you can still find plenty of dino-bones out West!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely true, Julie - and I didn't even think of that until you mentioned it!
DeleteThanks for stopping by.
This is clever and adorable. I'll put it on my list. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure - love finding a gem like this!
DeleteI live in the Land of the Dinosaurs! Lots of dino bones around here. And cowboys! You've found the perfect book! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteIt DOES sound like the perfect book for you! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThis cover totally pulls me in! The appeal of cowboys and dinosaurs is undeniable.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely - and it's SUCH a fun read. Thanks for stopping by, Wendy!
DeleteUnusual combination and a winner for kids. Love the voice. Impressive writing style. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome - was my pleasure. Thanks for stopping by!
Deletesounds perfect - given that some of the first dino bones were discovered by cowboys (or at least ranchers). Wonder what a dino-rodeo would look like?
ReplyDeleteA dino rodeo sounds FABULOUS - don't you think? Thanks for stopping by, Sue!
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