T. Rex Time Machine
by Jared Chapman
Date: 2018
Publisher: Chronicle Books (CA)
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 44
Format: e-book
Source: library
When two hungry dinosaurs jump into a time machine, they're transported to an unbelievable, magical, surreal future: RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW! On the T. Rexes' madcap voyage into the unknown, they encounter the many wonders of the modern world: Police cars! Phones! Microwaves! They don't know how they'll get home--but why would they want to? Acclaimed author and illustrator Jared Chapman combines two favorite kid topics--time travel and dinosaurs--with bold colors, big jokes, and a hilarious escapade. This raucous, laugh-out-loud adventure will delight the very young and keep older readers giggling long into the future.
(synopsis from Goodreads)
From the author that brought us Vegetables in Underwear and Fruits in Suits comes this silly story about two dinosaurs who find a time machine and go on a delicious adventure.
I'm not quite sure what age group this is aimed at, as some of the jokes will rely on kids' knowledge of things like voice-activated smartphones and microwave ovens. I have a feeling that, though older kids will probably understand more of this book, they might think it's kind of silly. And it is... but in a good way. Watching the dinosaurs gleefully realize that there's food around every corner (and a "sun in a box" that cooks that food in seconds!) reminds us about the things we take for granted, but it doesn't hit the reader over the head with a preachy message.
The illustrations are simple. Maybe a little too simple for my taste. But they still manage to capture the dinosaurs' feelings as they navigate their "future" of bountiful food choices. The ending is a fun twist. Overall, this is a fairly strong picture book, and though I'm not in love with the illustrations, they work well with the story.
Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 3/5
Enjoyment: 4/5
Overall: 3.33 out of 5
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