Dogosaurus Rex

by Anna Staniszewski, Kevin Hawkes (Illustrator)

Overview

Ben can’t wait to adopt the best dog in the world. On a trip to the shelter, he sees dogs of all kinds, but none of them are quite right.

Then he finds Sadie. Sadie is big—really big. She says “roar” instead of “woof” and she doesn’t fit inside the house, but Ben knows she’s the best dog in the world. Now if only she could stop causing so much trouble!

Dogosaurus Rex is a hilarious tale of a very special dog (with a prehistoric twist) that will have you roaring—just like Sadie.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780594151647
Publisher:	Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Publication date:	01/12/2022
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	8.70(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Anna Staniszewski is the author of many books for children and young readers, including Beast in Show, Dogosaurus Rex, Power Down, Little Robot, My Very UnFairy Tale Life and The Dirt Diary. She lives outside of Boston, Massachusetts.

Kevin Hawkes is the acclaimed illustrator of books such as The Man Who Made Time Travel by Kathryn Lasky, an ALA Notable Book, and Weslandia by Paul Fleischman. He lives in Gorham, Maine.

Editorial Reviews

"This delightfully mischievous story . . . . brings to mind vintage children’s books." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"This [book] rises above the herd." —Kirkus Reviews

"This upbeat and original story stresses the importance of compassion and giving everyone a second chance. . . . A delightful and funny read-aloud that will entice children of all ages." —School Library Journal

"Viewers are in for a treat with this fetching story." —The Bulletin

Praise for Power Down, Little Robot:

“Charming . . . This little red robot will do anything to avoid going to sleep.” —Kirkus Reviews

“After reading this, more than one child may look forward to the moment when his 'dream sequence [is] initiated.'” —The Wall Street Journal

“The universality of resisting bedtime rings true. Give this one to sophisticated preschoolers.” —Booklist

From the Publisher

2017-05-01
The canon of books about oversized and/or inappropriate pets for kids gets yet another addition, but with a dinosaur, this one rises above the herd. At an animal shelter, Ben can't decide from among more than 20 "cute dogs and funny dogs and loud dogs and smelly dogs," but the giant Tyrannosaurus rex in a nearby cage seems just right. Ben calls her "Sadie," Sadie goes, "ROAR!" and, of course, it's love at first pet sighting. Things get complicated when it comes to feeding, disposing of dinosaur waste, and even bathing, when Sadie drinks the contents of an entire lake. But the dinosaur comes in handy foiling a fruit-stand robbery, turning Sadie from a town pariah to a beloved fixture: "The most popular dog in town." The text plays out the drama and redemption in simple, understated prose that gives free rein to Hawkes' wildly expressive illustrations of Sadie. While brown-skinned, black-haired Ben and the other humans of the book are drawn with dot eyes and in small scale, Sadie is impressively detailed, with big, kind eyes, complexly shaded skin, and a seemingly endless range of emotion. She grins with satisfaction, fetches a robber with steely determination, and enjoys a tickle with a floppy tongue hanging out and feet wiggling in the air. It may feel as though there are a few too many dinosaur picture books around, but for how well this one brings lovable Sadie to life, it deserves a place on the shelf. (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews