What if a T - Rex followed your son home?
Would you let him keep it as a pet?
That's the premise of this comic book (sorry, graphic
novel) by Doug TenNapel.
The language and situations are fairly realistic and
mature (once you accept that a living T-Rex survived
millennia buried in a cave and is dog like except for
the eating cows business).
The dinosaur's giant bodily functions come off big in
the book. Very enjoyable for younger readers, but
you'll have to decide if you want them to read the
words p--- and c--- and enjoy the graphic pictures
of same.
The family relationships are to the far side of ideal.
The dad complains about his boy's dog right before
a vehicle kills it, and the parents are delighted to
dump their grieving son with his grampa for the
whole summer. Another boy is a bully (he makes Ely
eat dog p---) because his father has abandoned the
family. Other adults also behave selfishly.
Only the Grampa is wise and kindly, but he's also
manipulative and prevaricates a lot. Also, you have to
question his sanity. Sure, the kid would be upset if he
couldn't keep the T-Rex. But those people who just lost
their house to the dinosaur look pretty upset too . . .
If your kid likes dinosaurs, or you're looking for a well-
illustrated story for reading ages 6 - 12, I still recommend the book. It's a comic book (I mean graphic novel) after all,
with a silly premise. The somewhat realistic portrayal of adult motivations are likely meant to amuse the adults.
The treatment of bullies may be of special interest to readers
with autism and may open discussions for all readers (Why do
you think Randy says mean things? Is Randy happy or unhappy?
Why? Do you think the other kids should tease Randy about his
dad?).
Readers who like color pictures and few words per page will
rejoice.
-Spectrum Mom
"You can't expect a creature to just eat all of your problems away."
Tommysaurus Rex
Doug TenNapel
with color by Katherine Garner
Graphix, A division of Scholastic
2013
140pp
