How to Raise a Dinosaur

How to Raise a Dinosaur
written by Natasha Wing, illustrated by Pablo Bernasconi
Running Press, 2010
picture book, lift the flap

Meet Natasha Wing at the Highlands Ranch Tattered Cover this Saturday, October 9 at 10:30 a.m. She’ll read from How to Raise a Dinosaur! Details HERE.

Okay, where to start. How about the stylized illustrations and flaps? Both are inviting. I really loved the bright colors and multiple flaps of nice, thick paper. For instance on the page that says

“There are . . .”, lift flap

“mice and horses and . . . “, lift flap,

“cats and dogs and . . .“, lift flap,

“snakes and gerbils and rats and lizards and birds and . . need I go on?” lift flap,

“Yes I do! Because do I have a pet for you!“

Phew! That’s a lot of flaps to lift!

This story will convince you that dinosaurs are the perfect pet. Plus, you’ll get tips for choosing the best dinosaur and for dinosaur care. (Which I think you’ll need.)

“A dinosaur needs to be fed 10 times a day . . .

. . . and walked 5 times a day.”

Book Play:

Littler kids: Pretend you are a dinosaur. Make dinosaur noises and stomp like a dinosaur. Will you be someone’s pet or not? 

Bigger kids: Adopt a pet dinosaur (it could be your stuffed animal or your little brother.) Name your dinosaur. Care for your dinosaur. Use How to Raise a Dinosaur to guide you.

WIN a copy of How to Raise a Dinosaur. E-mail your name and address (to make book delivery faster) to deborah.mock@parenthood.com with “Dinosaur” in the subject line. We will randomly select one lucky winner to receive a copy of the book. Deadline for entry is midnight MST on October 27, 2010.

Read how Natasha got the idea for this fun story — it’s something you can do with your kids — play the What If game!