Going Hollywood: A Dinosaur's Dream
By Tracy Moore,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Hilarious dinosaur tale teaches kids about tantrums.
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What's the Story?
Rex, the resident tyrannosaurus at the Museum of Natural History, sure likes being the center of attention. So when he gets the opportunity to go to Hollywood to star in a movie, he jumps at the chance. But when he learns he's only been cast in a bit part, his dreams of stardom are dashed. Can Rex keep his cool and play second fiddle?
Is It Any Good?
This is a funny, offbeat take on tantrums and ego, as seen through the experiences of a funny dinosaur who's having trouble adjusting after being transported from the past to the present. Kids who love dinosaurs and are at tantrum age may glean a thing or two from this tale of big dreams and outsize ego rendered in vivid illustration.
Parents may have to explain the near-death scenario, as this scene may be kids' first encounter with the notion of confronting the alter ego between realities. But, that glitch aside, kids can appreciate this creative take on ruining everyone's fun with a bad mood -- and trying to make things right.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about being in the spotlight. Have you ever been the center of attention? How did it feel? What was it like when it was all over?
What's fun about dinosaur stories? Have you ever seen dinosaur bones in a museum? Can you imagine what it was like when dinosaurs roamed the earth?
Sometimes the small parts are the most important. What are some little jobs that make a big difference in your house?
Book Details
- Author: Hudson Talbott
- Illustrator: Hudson Talbott
- Genre: For Beginning Readers
- Topics: Dinosaurs
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Knopf
- Publication date: September 23, 1989
- Number of pages: 32
- Available on: Paperback, Hardback, Kindle
- Last updated: September 23, 2015
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