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

Monday 3 September 2018

Review: Axel Scheffler's Flip Flap Dinosaurs

Axel Scheffler uses the flap book formula to great effect, and never more so than with the fabulous Axel Scheffler's Flip Flap Dinosaurs.

I mean, what could be better than a dinosaur book where you can mix them up and create new dinosaurs?

All the dinosaurs we know are introduced with rhyming descriptions which will teach you lots about each one -- what they like to eat, how they move about, size, and more.

The text also cleverly puts things in context. Take the Stygimoloch, for example: 'I weigh two times what you weigh. I'm as long as a car. With my two feet and their sharp claws, I can run fast and far.'

All the pictures include noises that the dinosaurs might have made (roar, snort, rumble, screech -- you get the idea, I'm sure).

The pictures are key to making Flip Flap Dinosaurs work. With the background colours identifying which flaps belong together for a picture of the real dinosaur, mixing them up, by turning either the top or bottom flap, you'll create crazy new dinosaurs.

Try and make a Pteroraptor, with a pointy beak and feathers on its arms. Or a Baryodocus, with lots of teeth for catching fish, but big plodding legs.

As the cover says, the Flip Flap Dinosaurs are funny and bound to make you laugh. You'll also learn plenty along the way.

Title: Axel Scheffler's Flip Flap Dinosaurs
Author: Axel Scheffler 
Illustrator: Axel Scheffler 
Publisher: Nosy Crow, $15.99
Publication Date: July 2018
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781788003315
For ages: 2+
Type: Picture Book