Brianosaurus

by Ged Adamson

Overview

From the author of Bird Hugs, a story about being yourself, even if that means becoming a new kind of dinosaur!

Brian loves dinosaurs. When he discovers that frogs were around when dinosaurs were alive, he decides that makes him a dinosaur—a Brianosaurus, in fact. At first, it’s fun. But his woodland friends think he should roar all the time, not use trampolines or read books. And the frogs think he’s making the pond look bad. So Brianosaurus decides to act exactly the way they want. The trouble is, he isn’t happy…until he decides to be himself.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781542039376
Publisher:	Amazon Publishing
Publication date:	04/02/2024
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	681,959
Product dimensions:	8.70(w) x 11.10(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Ged Adamson is a children’s book author and illustrator. His picture books include Bird Hugs, named a Best Children’s Book of the Year by the Bank Street College of Education; A Fox Found a Box; Douglas, You Need Glasses!; Shark Dog!; and Ava and the Rainbow (Who Stayed). He has also worked as a cartoonist, storyboard artist, and composer for film and TV. He lives in London with his partner, Helen, and son, Rex.

Editorial Reviews

01/15/2024

Frog Brian, rendered by Adamson (Bird Hugs) as a thick green shape with gangly limbs and googly eyes, “was OBSESSED with dinosaurs.” When he learns that frogs were also present during the age of dinosaurs, and tells his forest pals, mammal Koji points out, “That kind of means you’re a dinosaur!” Enthusiastically taking this point to heart, Brian straps a set of stegosaurus-like plates onto his back: “Meet BRIANOSAURUS!” Though he initially loves roaring on request, Brian discovers that the forest creatures and frogs alike have their own ideas about what Brianosaurus should and shouldn’t do. “Dinosaurs don’t paint pictures,” insists one of the forest pals, while a member of the largely upset frog community plaintively asks, “Don’t you like being a frog, Brian?” When the two sides face off, Brian and another frog hit on a new idea: the “ME-osaurus.” “Nobody can say what a ME-osaurus does,” Brian notes, “because every ME-osaurus is DIFFERENT.” This tale of individuality championed and rewarded wears its message lightly, with gentle-hued pencil, watercolor, and digital illustrations portraying two communities full of adorable animals—all trying to do right by their friend. Ages up to 8. Agent: Isabel Atherton, Creative Authors. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

“Digitally rendered pencil and watercolor illustrations depict vivid pond and forest scenes and likable and well-meaning friends as the story traces a sweetly funny path to self-acceptance. Will have readers recognizing that they, too, can be their own unique ME-osauruses.” —Kirkus Reviews

“This tale of individuality championed and rewarded wears its message lightly, with gentle-hued pencil, watercolor, and digital illustrations portraying two communities full of adorable animals—all trying to do right by their friend.” —Publishers Weekly

“With a delightfully expressive amphibious protagonist, Adamson’s story shares what it means to stay true to oneself even in the face of other people’s (or creature’s) demands. The mixed media of the spring color palette of watercolor and thin pencil textures creates an exuberant atmosphere for Brian and his friends to nurture their imagination…” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

From the Publisher

2024-01-05
It’s not easy being a Brianosaurus!

Brian, a bright green frog, has just learned that frogs were around when dinosaurs walked the Earth. When his friend Koji says, “That kind of means you’re a dinosaur!” Brian embraces his newfound identity and dubs himself Brianosaurus, complete with added upright plates along his spine. At first, the other forest animals love Brianosaurus and his roar. But the frogs at the pond don’t approve (“Don’t you like being a frog, Brian?”), and soon his forest friends start to put restrictions on what he can and can’t do (“Dinosaurs don’t smell flowers!” “Dinosaurs don’t read books!”). Because Brianosaurus can’t please everyone, he opts “to give the forest animals the most dinosaury dinosaur ever” and to “give the frogs the froggiest frog.” But who is he really? The frogs and forest animals argue. Brianosaurus finally yells, “NO, I’M ME!” and declares that they are all “ME-osauruses.” He adds, “Nobody can say what a ME-osaurus does, because every ME-osaurus is DIFFERENT.” From then on, Brianosaurus does what he pleases without worrying. Digitally rendered pencil and watercolor illustrations depict vivid pond and forest scenes and likable and well-meaning friends as the story traces a sweetly funny path to self-acceptance.

Will have readers recognizing that they, too, can be their own unique ME-osauruses. (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews