'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Thursday 25 October 2012

Review: I Wish There Were Dinosaurs

Who needs monkeys and elephants and bats in the zoo? I mean, they're great, they're special - but what would be totally cool at the zoo?

Dinosaurs.

A brachiosaurus as tall as the sky. A plesiosaur sharing swim-space with the seals. A T-Rex with extra strong jaws . . .


Our little character is so intent on a zoo packed with carnivores from an ancient time, he insists on writing a letter to the zoo, complete with ultra-cute illustrations of the very best dinos of all.

But upon further reflection . . . would the zoo be able to build enclosures strong enough to keep all those extra strong jaws in?

New author Amanda Niland has done a wonderful job with her rhyming text - and more importantly - has really pinpointed the perfect kid-language in this adorable book. Drama, humour and suspense are all apparent, and the book even has - hurrah! - a fantastic ending.

Christina Booth's divine illustrations on gritty, earthy pages, are a delicate cross between realism and cartoonish fun that work superbly. Gorgeous typefacing and layout typify the kind of tome Windy Hollow Books does so well.

Fabulous fun for your dino-loving boy and your dino-obssessed grandparent - and anyone in between.

Title: I Wish There Were Dinosaurs
Author: Amanda Niland
Illustrator: Christina Booth
Publisher: Windy Hollow Books, $27.99 RRP
Publication Date: October 2012
Format: Hard cover
ISBN: 9781922081049
For ages: 3 - 8
Type: Picture Book