Where's the Dinosaur?

K-Gr 2—George, his dog, and his grandfather go on a dinosaur-hunting expedition, setting off in a hot-air balloon for the island where the creatures supposedly live. George finds an egg, a tooth, and a pile of bones, but Grandfather says that's not enough proof of their existence. He climbs what he thinks is a tree to use his telescope but still doesn't see any dinosaurs. The "tree" is actually a dinosaur head but he is oblivious. He leaves the island disappointed. What Grandfather doesn't see is dinosaurs everywhere. They always seem to be behind him. The cover of the book says there are "…over 90 hidden dinosaurs for you to find!" George and readers are able to see every one of them. Many are tactile, and readers are able to feel different textures in the scenes as well. The illustrations are done with watercolors; the nature scenes are lush and reptiles are detailed. The clothes of the characters and the style of the hot-air balloon set the story in the 1800s. Dinosaur lovers will like this one and will giggle at Grandfather's ineptitude. Kids love being in on a joke that grown-ups don't get, and this one plays out in a delightful way.—Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI