Attack of the Lizard King

Dinosaur Cove #1

by Rex Stone

A great book full of adventure, imagination and mystery about two young boys, Jamie and Tom discovering a secret cave. This took them on an amazing exploration in to the land of dinosaurs. The author incorporated use of new technology and gadgets which would interest boys today, where Jamie owned this hand held computer. His computer helped him find out anything and many times within the story we see how he makes use of his gadget to find out more or to assess their situation. Jamie, new to the area meets Tom. Tom takes him in to this secret cave, only to find that it is more than a cave. They find themselves absorbed in to danger and adventure where they are chased by monstrous dinosaurs and are become lost in the land. Eventually, a good dinosaur guides them back to the opening of the cave and they find their way home.

I love the way every chapter has a cliff hanger, keeping its readers interested and wanting to find out what happens next. At the beginning of the book, the author introduces each character using a computerised fact file, followed by a map of the location around the cave. At the end of the book there is a map of the actually dinosaur land.

I notice that there are no female characters in this book. And the use of gadgets and dinosaurs make it appealing to boys more between years 3-6. So, in a way it is a little biased and acts on stereotypes that only boys are interested in these things. As for the pictures, they are black and white but quite descriptive.

This book could be used in Geography lessons where the children make their own map of their imaginary land or in science where pupils research the life and features of dinosaurs. Also, this is a great book to use during story writing tasks, with clear examples of a beginning, middle and an end.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Childrens, Chapter Books, Dinosaurs, Adventure, Middle Grade

128 pages, Paperback

First published May 25, 2012

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know how we missed the Dinosaur Cove series, but my kids and I are happy to have discovered them. My 6 year-old son who loves anything dinosaur, was delighted to have first my husband read the whole book to him and then myself. My 8 year-old daughter joined us for the second reading. Needless to say, my son LOVED this book and can’t wait for me to read him the second book in this series. My daughter enjoyed it too.

This book is great for learning because it includes interesting facts about the dinosaurs it features in the story. Right at the start of the book, fact files on the characters and the dinosaurs that look like they were retrieved from a computer screen get the readers in a “let’s discover” mode. The black and white illustrations are perfect for this age group and the maps and glossary are an added bonus.

The story is well paced, adventurous with inquisitive boy characters who become fast friends. There’s plenty of action and suspense without being scary. I did tell my kids that, although discovering and exploring a cave was imaginative and fun in the book, they were never to venture into one without an adult.

This is a great series for both boys and girls who love dinosaurs and exploring the outdoors. We look forward to reading the next book in this exciting series!

[Zachary Hopper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book. I recommend it to people who like dinosaurs and adventures. =)

[A.L. Sowards]

In this chapter book for early readers, two boys explore a cave and end up in dinosaur times. It’s about 70 pages. Heavy on the pictures, light on the plot and the characterization. My first graders loved it and begged for the next few books in the series.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is rated 🌟🌟🌟 .999 stars. I did not like this book because I do not like dinosaurs. I enjoyed this book because I like things that fly. A pterodactyl flew.

[Manja W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fabian Lenks Dino Terra hat uns deutlich mehr gefesselt.

[Annalisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have a child that likes dinosaurs this is a great series. I have a 5 year old that can't get enough of these and they are great chapter books to read to him because they are long enough to meet his reading requirement but short enough to hold his attention. I don't think any of the chapters were more than 10 pages. The book also includes some fun illustrations.

Product Description from Amazon: Tom and Jamie can't believe their luck when they find a secret entrance to a prehistoric world filled with dinosaurs!

The first dinosaur they meet is a friendly wannanosaurus. It eats the fruit from super-stinky ginkgo trees. But soon, Tom and Jamie meet a much less friendly dino: a Tyrannosaurus Rex that would like to eat them!

[Alistair Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was about 2 kids name tom and jiame and thrae first they found wanna 2 dino are t rex

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this with my 7 y.o. son. Here is what he had to say beyond his 5 star rating: Dinosaur Cove was good and I like how the details and the creators of the book told about the trees and put pictures in. I like how the settings were about dinosaurs and how they made the book about dinosaurs such as the Tyrannosaurus Rex, the Wannanosaurus and the Pterodactyl. I like how at first they (Jaime and Tom) find fossils, and then they find the cave. I like how they travel into time to the dinosaur world and when they're in the dinosaur world they go back in time to their world. I like how they discovered a new world in time.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book served as an excellent read aloud for my boys! If you have a dinosaur lover in your ranks this is a great read for them! It follows two boys who find a cave where they can go through to go back in time to see dinosaurs. Each book focuses on a different dinosaur and gives great facts at the beginning and throughout the story. 👍🏼👍🏼 from my boys.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think little boys would love this series. It is exciting, engaging, and what little boy doesn't like dinosaurs?!? The reading level is on the beginning side of intermediate, which makes it a great series to encourage your beginners to increase their reading level. It would be a great transition series. My beginning reader is going to love these!

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ich habe diese Buchreihe von einer Freundin geliehen bekommen und bin sehr begeistert. Die Kinder fiebern total mit, Mädchen als auch Jungs und wollen gar nicht mehr aufhören zu lesen, bis die Geschichte zu Ende ist.

[Allison Turkish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story where two boys who want to find dinosaur fossils accidentally travel to a land of dinosaurs by walking through a cave.

Lots of illustrations throughout. Looks like a good series for kids ready to start chapter books. 2nd grade and up, I think.

[Melissa Namba · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good set up for a series. It explains how they can go back in time and see Dinosaurs. This book was more of a run away after the time travel thing, but I'm seeing promise in the series now that the time travel has been established.

[Terry Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book for third graders.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable first book in series where 2 boys travel back in time and meet a t Rex. A hit with the 5 year old.

[Tamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this to the kids, it’s got a fun premise and the boys liked it. My dad sent the full 20 book series, so I’ll be reading a lot of these this year.

[Emma Hargrove · Rating 5 out of 5]

AR Test 10 out of 10

[Kay-tee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read aloud for my dino obsessed 4 yr old

[Alissa Faust · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute beginner chapter book that would be great for dinosaur lovers!

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for second/third grade readers.

[Ζωή Παππά · Rating 3 out of 5]

My son adored this book. It was fun.

[Cillian Corcoran]

These were among the first books I ever read, I can’t help but feel nostalgic seeing them here

[Nolan Brendel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it because they traveled to dinosaur times.

[Paula Greenfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful start to a series about two boys who meet and love dinosaurs They become friends and learn of a place where they can go and see real live dinosaurs.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty cute book my 7 yr old enjoys, but they must have re-written it or something? The main characters are Jaime and Tess.

[Aisley Faust · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good book that kept you entertained and would be perfect for dino lovers! I really enjoyed this book!

[Shatterlings · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a cute enough little kids book, I just needed a dinosaur book for a reading challenge and it was 50p in the charity shop.

[Tristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My eight year old loves dinosaurs and loved this book. Nice premise and suitable for the age group.

[Mohima · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book full of adventure, imagination and mystery about two young boys, Jamie and Tom discovering a secret cave. This took them on an amazing exploration in to the land of dinosaurs. The author incorporated use of new technology and gadgets which would interest boys today, where Jamie owned this hand held computer. His computer helped him find out anything and many times within the story we see how he makes use of his gadget to find out more or to assess their situation. Jamie, new to the area meets Tom. Tom takes him in to this secret cave, only to find that it is more than a cave. They find themselves absorbed in to danger and adventure where they are chased by monstrous dinosaurs and are become lost in the land. Eventually, a good dinosaur guides them back to the opening of the cave and they find their way home.

I love the way every chapter has a cliff hanger, keeping its readers interested and wanting to find out what happens next. At the beginning of the book, the author introduces each character using a computerised fact file, followed by a map of the location around the cave. At the end of the book there is a map of the actually dinosaur land.

I notice that there are no female characters in this book. And the use of gadgets and dinosaurs make it appealing to boys more between years 3-6. So, in a way it is a little biased and acts on stereotypes that only boys are interested in these things. As for the pictures, they are black and white but quite descriptive.

This book could be used in Geography lessons where the children make their own map of their imaginary land or in science where pupils research the life and features of dinosaurs. Also, this is a great book to use during story writing tasks, with clear examples of a beginning, middle and an end.

[Silver Snapdragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of my first chapter books, and I LOVED it. The adventure, mysteriousness, and great characters all pulled me right in. I read it many times and was excited to lend it to my little brothers when they were old enough, too!