FICTION

Dinosaur Pet

by Marc SEDAKA
performed by Neil Sedaka. illus. by Tim Bowers. 28p. w/CD. CIP. May 2012. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-1-936140-36-7. LC 2011025358.
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 1—Neil Sedaka's son has given the song "Calendar Girl" (Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield) humorous new lyrics. Casey expresses his feelings for his newly hatched dinosaur: "I love, I love, I love/my dinosaur pet./Yeah, sweet dinosaur pet./I love, I love, I love/my dinosaur pet./Each and every day of the year." As the months go by, he describes the dinosaur's growth spurts and huge appetite. "February, his body's starting to swell. March, at least eight times a day he's got to be fed. April, when he sleeps with me he crushes the bed." By the end of the year, the boy comes to a rather troubling realization about his dinosaur's massive size, but the love he feels for his new pet inspires him to celebrate and perform a song on his piano. Bowers's cheerful illustrations show a child enjoying everything about having a pet, including the increased responsibilities.—Tanya Boudreau, Cold Lake Public Library, AB, Canada
Sedaka takes his songwriter dad Neil's classic "Calendar Girl" and rewrites it as a boy's ode to his pet dinosaur ("January, he's breaking out of his shell / February, his body's starting to swell," etc.). Marc doesn't have his father’s polish, so the accompanying CD (performed by Neil) is essential to finding the text's rhythm. Bowers hits the expected notes: slapstick and sight gags.
Reviewed by Tanya Boudreau , May 01, 2012

Be the first reader to comment.

Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

BOOKS

Hoot Hoot
by Georgette
FICTION

Who Will Rule the Trees?
by Kimmel, Eric A.
FICTION

Go Bananas!
by Peele, A. B.
FICTION

The Dark Is For
by Kohuth, Jane
BOOKS

We Run This House: The Girls’ Guide to Flag Football
by Dickens, AnnaSofia
BOOKS

How the Other Half Die
by Roscoe, P. C.
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?