Archibald and the Furry Dinosaurs

by Suzanne Lang, Max Lang (Illustrator)

Overview

Meet Archibald, the only bald dinosaur in the world. From the #1 New York Times bestselling creators of Grumpy Monkey comes a charming new character in this laugh-out-loud story of Jurassic proportions that celebrates standing out from the crowd.

Long ago, in the time of prehistoric preening, all dinosaurs have fur. All except for one. Meet Archibald.

When Archibald embarks on a dangerous quest to find his lost locks, he encounters danger at every turn. Along the way, he outwits the clever Woollyciraptors, rescues two dinosaurs from getting eaten, and even encounters the dreaded Furannosaurus Rex! While he may not end this story with even a strand of hair on his head, he does begin to see that his life is wonderful as it is. As he discovers, it’s better to focus on what you do have, not on what you don’t.

Readers will laugh along as Archibald learns to embrace the things that make you different.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593811979
Publisher:	Random House Children's Books
Publication date:	09/02/2025
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	8.75(w) x 11.56(h) x 0.39(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Suzanne Lang is the author of the New York Times bestselling Grumpy Monkey books as well as several other titles. When she’s not writing books, Suzanne writes for animation. When she’s not doing that, she hangs out with her very funny kids, feeds her many pets, and tries (but usually fails) to take a nap!

Max Lang has illustrated over twenty books, including all the titles in the Grumpy Monkey series. When he’s not making books, he makes films. He has co-directed several animated movies, including The Snail and the Whale, Zog, Room on the Broom, and The Gruffalo. He has received three BAFTAs, two Emmys, two Oscar nominations, and many other honors for his film work. In his spare time, he tries to make his kids laugh at dad jokes, and when he inevitably fails, he takes his dogs for a walk.

Editorial Reviews

"[An] entertaining picture book....and a not-so-bald-faced lesson in getting comfortable in one’s scales." —Publishers Weekly

"Hair-raising fun that will leave readers combing bookshelves for more." —Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

2025-05-30
This hairy tale has been a long time coming.

Dinosaurs used to be covered in hair: “There were short-haired dinosaurs and long-haired dinosaurs. Fluffy, curly, bearded, dreadlocked, and shaggy dinosaurs.” Except one. Archibald, a red bipedal dino, had hair once, but he’s now “as bald as a boulder.” Where did his tresses go? Archibald sets out on a quest to find his lost locks. Along the way, his lack of hair comes in handy. Pursued by the fierce Woollyciraptors, he escapes by dashing through a thicket of brambles (the raptors’ wool gets them tangled up). Sunlight gleaming on his smooth top blinds the hungry Haironodons eager to make a meal out of him, and a voracious but hirsute Furannosaurus becomes overheated while chasing him. Archibald even saves a few new friends along the way. These actions begin a hair-shaving trend among his furry contemporaries. The story’s dry humor and intricate digital illustrations work in harmony to deliver a charming story that will amuse budding paleontologists. From stocky, sweetly guileless Archibald to his preening peers to the predators with their gaping maws, the caricaturelike depictions of the dinos will delight. While some details and colors may be a hair too subtle for large-group storytimes, the book is a fine choice for lap reads anywhere—especially barbershops.

Hair-raising fun that will leave readers combing bookshelves for more.(Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews