Author: Lori Rotter
Illustrator:
Vaughan Duck
Publisher:
LFR Creative, LLC
Released:
August 11, 2023
Format:
Kindle, Paperback
ISBN:
979-8988752905
Reviewer:
Ellwyn Autumn
Rating: 5
Lemon Drops
Milo
is an imaginationasaurus on a mission to become the best dinosaur ever!
I
received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery. I voluntarily
chose to read and post an honest review.
Review:
Book Summary:
Milo
is a big fan of dinosaurs, as demonstrated by his favorite stuffed dino and
grinning dino slippers! Following a bedtime read-aloud of Best Dino Ever, Milo
asks his father, “If I were a dino, what kind I would be if?”
Dad
gives the typical grownup response. The kind the spurs childish imaginations to
defy the odds at all costs! “Milo, not to steal all your joy, but you can’t be
a dinosaur, you’re just a boy.”
His teeth are not sharp, and he has toes instead of claws. Perhaps with a little creativity and practice, that could all change. And so, it begins…
Opinion:
Childhood ingenuity and determination are captured in this book. Milo is an enthusiastic little boy bursting with BIG energy and an active mind that craves stimulation.
His
family is supportive of his inquisitive nature and motivates his occasional
unconventional creativity.
The
story starts with a scene that is all too familiar to parents; a bedroom floor
filled with toys after an enjoyable session of make-believe.
It’s
clear Milo has a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math)
mindset. Across the room, there's a homemade train track on the floor, dinosaur
books scattered around, and a T-Rex illustration roars on an easel in the
background.
Father and son are front and center sitting together reading a book about, you guessed it—dinosaurs. The pair were clearly excited about reading the book.
Wide-eyed
and smiling, both Dad and Milo are relaxing on the chair. Dad has one slipper
on his foot, and the other one is lying forgotten on the carpet.
While
the story is being read, we learn that Milo yearns to be the best dinosaur. He
awakens the next morning as a young man on a mission. A common mission among
young dinosaur enthusiasts.
Milo
starts by frightening his sister Lulu with a loud roar, and then pauses to
capture the moment in a painting of a green T-Rex frightening a little girl
similar to Lulu.
After that, he charges to the kitchen where he eats breakfast in true carnivore fashion.
A bit of self-reflection leads Milo to understand that becoming the best dinosaur ever requires having sharp claws and mighty big jaws.
Putting his
art skills to use, he gets busy crafting a dinosaur costume that helps him
become Milo-a-saurus.
I
appreciated Duck’s attention to detail in the illustrations. We really get to
know Milo and feel his enthusiasm for dinosaurs from the intentional items scattered
throughout the book. The pictures are colorful, eye-catching, and fun!
I
give it 5 Lemon Drops!
Classroom Connection:
Best Dinosaur Ever would be a great addition to several themes of study: dinosaurs,
imagination, and STEAM projects.
For
STEAM projects, students could recreate Milo’s train track, paint a picture of
a dinosaur, design their own dinosaur costume, or use pipe cleaners to create a
dinosaur skeleton.
Age
Range: Pre-K to 3rd Grade
Targeted
Vocabulary: amused, beamed, claws, clever, practiced, signaled
Resources:
Dinosaur
Skeleton STEM Challenge by STEMsational STEM | TPT (teacherspayteachers.com)
Dinosaur
Preschool Theme - Literacy, Math, STEM, & Art Centers | TPT
(teacherspayteachers.com)
How
To Catch A Dinosaur | Book Companion & Procedural Writing | STEM
(teacherspayteachers.com)
Dinosaur
stem | TPT (teacherspayteachers.com)
About The Author:
Lori
Rotter is an award-winning toy designer and debut picture book author.
Her
large extended family keeps her laughing and inspires her story and toy ideas.
Like in her toys, Lori enjoys sparking the imagination and adding small details
for kids to discover.
Lori lives in New York with her husband, lots of fish, and two silly French bulldogs.
About the Illustrator:
Vaughan
loves drawing pictures that make kids giggle. He lives downunder in Australia where
it’s always sunny.
You can
visit Vaughan at vaughanduck.com.
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