cover image Dinostory

Dinostory

Michaela Morgan. Dutton Books, $13.95 (32pp) ISBN 978-0-525-44726-9

This boisterous blend of reality and fantasy will delight any dinosaur lover. Andrew wants a pet dinosaur more than anything, just like the boys who befriend dinosaurs in the books he reads. He wishes for one before blowing out his birthday candles, but no dinosaur appears. Luckily Andrew knows a wizard who can make his wish come true. Though the wizard is hesitant, he agrees to cast a spell, which proves all too successful. Hundreds of dinosaurs plummet down to earth, wreaking havoc everywhere, and Andrew soon realizes that having a pet dinosaur is not what he thought it would be. The wizard tells him, ``I told you so. The best place for a dinosaur is in its own time--or in a storybook.'' So Andrew accepts life as it is, but immediately begins pondering next year's grand birthday wish. Bright, fanciful illustrations capture the excitement of this romp. Ages 4-9. (Sept.)