Heath Mc Kenzie, I Wanna Be a Great Big Dinosaur, Scholastic, 1 May 2015, 28pp., $16.99, (hbk), ISBN 978 1 74362 600 9
What does it take to be a great big dinosaur? This book has everything young readers needs to know about it. To start with they need to roar and stomp their feet and this is only the beginning. The lessons commence when one small boy who is the focus of the text has a big wish to be a dinosaur. Luckily one appears to takes him through his paces and before long the boy knows exactly what to do to be his favourite creature. Ironically, the dinosaur’s wish is to be a little boy. However, neither of them wants to fully assume the life of the other. They happily decide that it is best to enjoy being themselves and sometimes play at being each other.
I Wanna Be a Great Big Dinosaur is a humorous picture book with action packed illustrations of the boy and dinosaur having fun. The clear text on the mostly white, glossy background enhances the story as the typeface ranges in size to emphasize certain commands and instructions. Children from 3 to 8 years old will enjoy this book and it will help to develop their imaginations. They will want to imitate and join in with the two friends as they teach each other fun things about being a dinosaur and a human.
reviewed by Grace Nolan