Newbery Honor Author. Caldecott Award Illustrator. Those two facts alone would sell a book, but when it’s Gennifer Choldenko (of Al Capone Does My Shirts fame) and Dan Santat (the brilliant Beekle creator) that we’re talking about, just take my money now. Because their collaborative effort Dad and the Dinosaur released yesterday. And we are all richer for it.
Young Nicholas is afraid of everything – from big concepts like the dark to inconsequential things like manhole covers. But don’t tell his dad, who is the biggest, bravest, most fearless person Nicholas knows and who knows that Nicholas is, too. And Nicholas can be brave – when he has his trusty little dinosaur by his side. The small, plastic dinosaur he carries gives him the strength to be big and confident. It goes with him everywhere, small but mighty, until the day it goes missing. Nicholas had it tucked securely in his sock during his soccer game, and he’s desperate to go out and find it. But it’s bedtime. Dark. Nicholas must face his greatest fear – disappointing his dad – if he’s going to get the dino back. The tender side of fatherhood isn’t often seen in picture books, and even more rarely when interacting with young sons. Choldenko’s story – paired with Santat’s eye-catching illusrations – is one for every dad to read and share. A great springboard to talk about fears and how children can cope with them. Share with ages 4-10.
Dan Santat created the trailer for the book, below. Is anyone else as happy as me to see another Santat book featuring dinosaurs?
Still another sneak peek – click the picture below for a flip-through of of Dad and the Dinosaur from Dan.
#DadAndTheDinosaur written by Gennifer Choldenko, art by Me. In stores March 2017
Dad and the Dinosaur released March 28, 2017 in the US.
One of the previewed titles at 2017 London Book Fair at the Penguin Random House booth. Look how busy it was!
Cheers, y’all!
