Don't Forget Dexter!

PreS-Gr 1—Ah, the plight of the well-loved but forgotten toy. For parents, the accidentally forgotten favorite toy brings on a feeling of near terror as well as hysterics from their child. The toy owners experience extreme distress and tears. But what about the forgotten toy? In this story, a cuddly looking T-Rex (Dexter T. Rexter) that has been left behind in the waiting room of a doctor's office speaks directly to readers about his longing for his best friend, a young black boy named Jack. Children are pulled into Dexter's story, from the emotional high when he recites the rhyming battle cry Jack created especially for him, "Dexter Dino,/Stomp through/the swamp./Dexter Dino,/Chomp, Chomp,/Chomp!" to the low when he thinks that he might have been left behind on purpose because he is not as cool as a motorized car or truck. The dino's escape attempts are numerous and amusing, and his eventual reunion with Jack is sweet. The childlike illustrations are primarily orange and yellow and perfectly convey Dexter's ever-changing moods.