Your Pet Dinosaur

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Ostensibly authored by Dr. Rex, the preternaturally brainy, self-absorbed tyrannosaurus of Talbott's Going Hollywood: A Dinosaur's Dream, this handbook is the surreal equivalent to ``Know Your Parakeet.'' Rex, with a cheesy politician's grin, tells prospective dino-buyers how to select their ideal ``pup.'' His sensible advice on young dinos (``A reinforced concrete feeding pen . . . is recommended''), training (``Housebreaking often lives up to its name'') and breeds (``bite-sized,'' ``two-seaters and four-seaters'') is accompanied by dexterously drawn images of preppie families romping with their pets in immaculate suburban settings. A boy contentedly naps on the back of his Christmas present--a horrific, wild-eyed megalosaurus; a gigantic carnivore ignores its scolding owner as it attacks the neighbors' vegetarian beast. While this mock manual's corniness and deadpan delivery are frequently funny, its occasionally precious humor begins to pale--and often seems overly sophisticated for most youngsters. Also, the less detailed portraits of look-alike pets and owners are conspicuously cute and not nearly as comical as their bizarre counterparts. Not up to Rex's earlier outings. Ages 7-up. (Sept.)

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 3-- Get ready to add ``Dinosaurs as Pets'' to your Library of Congress Subject Headings. Dr. Rex shows an undeniably intimate knowledge of his subject matter and outlines tips on the care and feeding, training, discipline, and exercise of dinosaurs as well as a section on love and ``when good dinos go bad.'' Several detailed chapters cover choosing and bringing home your mammoth pet. Issues to consider: Do you want a lap dino or one whose lap you can sit on? Or more importantly--carnivore or herbivore? Informative and hilarious ``Dear Dr. Rex'' columns touch on the personal concerns of owners of such creatures as a megalosaur who jumps on the mailman, a stegosaur who hates his master's trombone, and concern over whether Dr. Rex is really a doctor. This outrageous owner's manual is guaranteed to tickle readers' funny bones. Talbott's signature illustrations carry on the tongue-in-cheek text, and he even surpasses own silliness in chapters entitled ``The Well-Dressed Dinosaur'' and ``Fashion Don'ts for Dinos.'' A rollicking good time for all. --Jeanne Marie Clancy, Upper Merion Township Library, King of Prussia, PA

Ilene Cooper

Looking for a pet? Something that will surprise the neighbors? Well, Dr. T. Rex has a thought. What about a dinosaur? Are you liking it so far? But as all good pet manuals caution, you just can't go out and buy a pet and expect it to take care of itself. In the case of a dinosaur, there are certain points to consider, even before purchase. Do you want him to sit on your lap, or do you want to sit on his? Do you really want a new family member, or are you just trying to get rid of some old ones? Throughout this informative book, it's clear Dr. Rex knows his subject. He understands that when dinos cry their howls really mean, "What's happened to my species?" He is aware that the most popular name for pet dinos are Spike and Muffy. Besides, lots of useful information (diet, discipline, housebreaking), the book also contains wonderful '40's style art with such scenes as a dino and master going to the movies to see Godzilla. The picture's caption says it all: "Outings can be real treats for dinos, and letting them choose the event is a great way of saying, "Thank you, for just being you!"