Rory the Dinosaur: Me and My Dad
Charming, fresh take on the father-son bond.
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Rory the Dinosaur: Me and My Dad is a gentle story that celebrates a kid's longing for independence and his father's desire to make sure he's OK. Author-illustrator Liz Climo, a character artist for The Simpsons, embues her dinos with sweet personalities, humor, and an adventurous spirit. It's a fun romp for Father's Day or any day.
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What's the Story?
Little dino Rory wants to go on an adventure "all by myself," so when he sees his dad quietly reading in a hammock, he takes off. But all along the way, his dad lends an unseen helping hand as Rory crosses a river, scares off a wild pig, discovers a coconut ("I found something to drink all by myself!"), and finds a dry place in a rainstorm. Dad paves the way when Rory returns home, too, never letting on he's been with him all along.
Is It Any Good?
This is a warm, fresh take on the father-son relationship. It shows the eagerness of a kid to be independent and the loving nature of a dad who wants to help his kid have a successful adventure -- and not miss out on any of the fun. Author-illustrator Liz Climo uses spare lines and matte color illustrations on stark white pages to capture the emotions of this loving pair and sets Rory's thoughts off in childlike hand-written lettering.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about doing things on your own. What can you do without a parent's help? What's your favorite thing to do with your dad, mom, or caregiver?
What do you think of how the dinosaurs are drawn? Are they realistic? Can you imagine a T. rex being as nice and cute as Rory?
Draw a picture of an adventure you'd like to have with or without your dad.
Book Details
- Author: Liz Climo
- Illustrator: Liz Climo
- Genre: Picture Book
- Topics: Dinosaurs, Great Boy Role Models
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
- Publication date: May 5, 2015
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 3 - 6
- Number of pages: 40
- Available on: Nook, Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
Our Editors Recommend
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Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs: As Retold by Mo Willems
Silly dino twist on Goldilocks tale is roaring good fun.
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Nelly Gnu and Daddy Too
Cheery portrait of a fun day with Daddy.
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Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale
Hilarious tale of a toddler outing gone terribly wrong.
For kids who love picture books and dad stories
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