Dinosaur Juniors Happy Hatchday
ISBN13
9780008286385
Review published
28/06/2018
By Reviewer
Susan
Star Rating
By Author / Illustrator
Rob Biddulph
Age range(s)
3+
Review
Rob Biddulph does it again with this highly readable picture book about dinosaurs, being the youngest, and birthdays....or 'hatchdays' if you're a dino. Hatching somewhat later than his eight siblings, Greg (short for Gregosaurus) feels left out; all the other dinosaurs have paired up to do painting, baking, playing music and blowing up balloons. "Two's company but three's a crowd" says Greg, beneath his little black cloud and with tears in his eyes. What Greg doesn't realise is that his siblings have been planning a party just for him and there is a lovely spread with this 'Surprise!' waiting for him, so there is a happy ending in sight. Small children will easily relate to Greg and to that feeling of being left out when other children are already in the middle of a game, so this is a great story to encourage children to talk about what to do when they feel like this. It will also help children recognise when others might be feeling left out, and what they can do about it. The story is perfectly-pitched for youngest siblings, too, who might feel they are being left out because they can't yet do what older siblings can. Biddulph's rhyming text makes this a great read aloud and his images are fabulously eye-catching. There are lots of opportunities for counting, too, as you turn the pages. Definitely one to add to your Rob Biddulph collections! Picture book / Ages 3+ / Reviewed by Susan French.