How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon?

Author: Jane Yolen
Illustrator: Mark Teague
Year: 2003
Age Level: 4-8

Plot Summary: This book is a series of questions that begins with "What if a dinosaur/catches the flu?/Does he whimper and whine/in between each atchoo?". Each question deals with bad behavior, like knocking over juice or spitting out pills. In the end it's resolved that dinosaurs would get rest and listen to the doctor.

My Rating: A-. This was a fun book and a fun idea. I liked that each page had a different dinosaur and the name was included (subtly) in the illustrations.

Runaways, Vol. 1 (Hardcover)

Author: Brian K. Vaughan
Illustrators: Adrian Alphona, Takeshi Miyazawa
Year: 2006
Genre: Sci-Fi, Fantasy
Reading Level: Young Adult
Series: Runaways ongoing title

Plot Summary: 5 teenagers and one tween discover their normal parents are really a group of super villains (called The Pride) working to overthrow the whole world. Confused, they run away and try to figure out how they can bring their parents to justice. Along the way, they discover unique abilities of their own as they go on the run, fight a hot vampire and, finally, confront their parents.

Red Flag/s: Character death, some language, action, teenage delinquency

Award/s: Eisner, Harvey

My Rating: B+. This started out more interesting than it ended up being. Midway through the characters started turning into cliches, and the story dragged a bit. The art and writing are both pretty solid, but neither are really fantastic. I got kind of tired of Vaughan sneaking in little bits of political agendas. Also, why were Gert's legs so very very short? Even more importantly, why did the raptor have a nose ring?

T is for Terrible

Author/Illustrator: Peter McCarty
Year: 2004
Reading Level: Picture book (4-6)

Plot Summary: Tyrannosaurus Rex narrates this book and wonders why he is called "terrible." After all, he says, he came out of an egg just like other dinosaurs and had a mother, just like other dinosaurs. It's not his fault he grew to be so big and hungry. He can't be a vegetarian and he can't help squashing flowers when he walks.

My Rating: A+. This is surely the cutest dinosaur book I have ever read. It makes me all sad for this cute, puffy-looking, wants-to-be-loved Tyrannosaurus Rex. The illustrations are very nice, and the text is big and easy to read. And even though I love T-Rexes anyway, I have to admit I might love them more if they were pink.