Dinostory

PreS-Gr 4—Written by Mike Whitla, this musical journey begins with baby Terri Triceratops hatching out of her egg and searching for someone to show her love. Along the way, she meets a variety of other dinosaurs, including Steggy Stegosaurus, Jenny Anklyosaurus, Parasaurolophus, Diplodocus, Pterodactyl, and Brachiosaurus. Unfortunately, she also runs into a T. rex, and pleads with it not to eat her. With the help of Steggy and Jenny, the T. rex is defeated and runs away. Although Terri has not found any other Triceratops, she realizes she has a family with Steggy and Jenny. Like an opera, the story opens with an overture ("Dinoverture") and unfolds in a series of songs and narration. The songs, which feature a variety of rock styles as well as some jazz, reggae, and bluegrass, include "The Egg," "Do You Know Who I Am?," "Stegosaurus," "I'm a Pterodactyl," "Brachiosaurus," "Jenny Was an Anklyosaurus," "Dinosaurs Are Drinking by the River," "Parasaurolophus Is a Mouthful for All of Us," "T-Rex," "Plod, Plod, Plod Goes Diplodocus," "No, Don't Eat Me," and "It Takes All Kinds." All of the vocal and instrumental performances are high quality. Young dinosaur fans will welcome this opera with enthusiasm.—Beverly Wrigglesworth, San Antonio Public Library, TX