Dinosaurs Forever

Publishers Weekly

Wise and Munsinger serve up 22 original, rhyming poems about dinosaurs with well-researched, airy and cheerfully rendered pictures. "Some dinosaur characters are brought into modern times and even share quirky human attributes, making this collection all the more entertaining," said PW. Ages 4-8. (June) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Children's Literature

Hilarious illustrations match the comic rhymes in this read-aloud or read-alone book of dinosaur poems. Liberally sprinkling his poems with facts, Wise teaches as he plays with rhyme and rhythm. Every child who loves dinosaurs will snatch this paperback off the shelves, just to laugh at the illustrations. Every adult who knows that a favorite book will be read again and again can feel safe in buying this book; it still charms on the 15th reading of the poems. 2000, Puffin Books/Penguin Group,
— Elisabeth Greenberg

School Library Journal

K-Gr 4-Lilting, rhythmic rhymes will have the names of those ancient beasts rolling off readers' tongues, and scientific facts have never been so much fun. Even the small-brained Stegosaurus makes this astute observation: "So, while it's true that Man is bright-/On this we both agree-/Can we be sure, with all his brains,/He'll last as long as me?" More than one rhyme describes the diets of the mighty beasts. "Dinosaur Noises" leaves no doubt about the consequences of overeating: "Burp! Burp! Burp!/It's their stomachs overheating." The accompanying illustration shows the two beasts with bloated bellies politely covering their mouths. Each poem is illustrated with large, colorful drawings of the dinosaurs on display. White space often gives accent to the art, which features readily identifiable creatures that exude charm and humor. Their countenances are uniquely expressive as they take on human characteristics, and, often, human attire. A collection to treasure-forever!-Carolyn Janssen, Rockford Public Library, IL Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.|

Kirkus Reviews

Twenty-one dinosaur poems and dozens of humorous drawings to delight dinosaur lovers of all ages will make this new collection a real favorite. Adults be warned: children will want these poems read aloud. Consult the helpful pronunciation guide before attempting such poems as "The Awful Three," which includes the verse: "The first was Rhamphorhynchus, / Hardly longer than your arm, / A grisly little monster / With very little charm." While the rhymes are sometimes forced—for example, "ungracious" "Cretaceous"—it's hard not to smile at the toothy vaudevillian T. Rex with straw hat and cane doing a soft shoe. The picture book set will giggle at the variety of urban dinosaurs in costume and clothing, lumbering though the city with Walkman, cell phone, running shoes, and skateboards. The author of Ten Sly Piranhas (1993) presents the familiar dinosaurs: T. Rex, Stegosaurus, Apatosaurus, and Triceratops, and the less familiar Gorgosaurus. While children will pick their own favorites, the last poem, "Dinosaurs Forever," will speak to all: "… But as long as there are those of us / Who love ‘The Beast that Roars,' / No matter what the experts say— / There will always be Dinosaurs!" (Poetry. 5-9)