The Itchy Book!

Behind the giggles offered by this easy reader in the Elephant and Piggie Like Reading line, a provocative question lurks: do those with authority really know what’s going on? Words carved into a stone catch the attention of a bespectacled dinosaur, who reads them aloud: “Dinosaurs do not scratch.” A bright green triceratops reaches down to itch its knee. The first dinosaur points to the stone: “Dinosaurs are tough! We do not scratch!” More itchy dinosaurs appear—friendly, childlike reptiles in t-shirts and shorts—and the dinosaur with glasses cites the rule again. “Tough dinosaurs do not scratch!” he exhorts. The action doubles down as the urge to itch deepens, and the first dinosaur works hard to keep his friends on the straight and narrow. Suddenly, a turtle sleeping in front of the rock moves, revealing another word. Surprise! The stone actually says, “Dinosaurs do not scratch alone.” It’s okay to itch after all! Writing exclusively in dialogue, Pham (the Vampirina Ballerina series) imbues her spreads with fizzy energy. Ages 6–8. [em]Agent: Linda Pratt, Wernick & Pratt. (May) [/em]