Dear Dinosaur

Dear Dinosaur #1

by Chae Strathie

After a trip to the museum, Max writes a letter to his favourite dinosaur, the mighty T. Rex - and the T. Rex writes back! As Max and T. Rex learn about each other's lives, a very unusual friendship develops in this funny and touching story from an award-winning duo. Dinosaur fans will love this interactive picture book with letters and cards to open, and dinosaur facts to discover along the way.

Genres: Picture Books, Dinosaurs, Childrens

Hardcover

Published December 5, 2023

About the author

Chae Strathie is an award-winning children’s author and journalist who grew up in a tiny village surrounded by a forest in Scotland, which probably explains a lot. His first attempt at professional writing was creating a Star Wars comic at the age of seven. He sold two copies and made a total of four pence. A regular at major book festivals, Chae has toured the length and breadth of the UK and visited schools as far afield as Romania, reading his stories, acting the goat and singing silly songs about worm ice cream and beard-growing. He lives in Dundee with three annoying cats and a very old goldfish called Lazarus.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Max visits the museum, he is so entranced by the T-Rex that the exhibit specialist, Dinosaur Dora, suggests that he write a letter to the therapod and ask him some questions. So begins an amusing correspondence, as Max eventually wins the Tyrannosaurus over with his enthusiasm and friendship...

An entertaining and interactive book, Dear Dinosaur includes the letters written back and forth between Max and the T-Rex, sometimes printed on the page, sometimes attached and needing to be folded out. The story from Chae Strathie is sweet, and sure to appeal to young dinosaur lovers who dream of having a prehistoric friend of their own. The artwork from illustrator Nicola O'Byrne is colorful and cute, capturing the humor of the story. I did wonder a bit, given that this is a British book, why the dinosaur's address is in Greenville, South Carolina. Was this changed for the American edition? I have discovered that there is an interactive dinosaur exhibit that opened at Greenville's Upcountry History Museum this past year, 2018, but given that the book was first published in 2017, I don't think that can be the explanation. Needless to say, this question of address in no way detracted from my enjoyment, it just puzzled me a bit. Recommended to young dinosaur lovers, and to anyone looking for picture-books that are interactive, and have fold-out pieces.

[Kirjapallo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book!! A little boy is sending messages back and forth with a T-Rex and it's delightful to read their letters. I'm only a little bit concerned about the flaps, because the pages are quite thin and I'm wondering how long will the book stay in one piece... You have to treat this one like a treasure.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be a delightfully fun book. Not only are the illustrations colorful and fun, but there are actual letters (and a postcard) for the reader to open and read (glued to the page). I read this with my young nephew and he enjoyed it, in addition, his older brother came over and had a peak as we read (not to mention taking the book to read on his own afterwards). Max is thrilled when he gets the chance to visit the dinosaur room at a museum, but is frustrated when there isn't time to ask as many questions as he wants. Dinosaur Dora, the museum guide, tells him to write letters to T. Rex, because she's sure that T. Rex will write back. And so begins an amusing correspondence. Not only is the book fun in and of itself but there are many opportunities here for extension activities (writing a letter, anyone?).

[Iman Yasmin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a colourful, busy and entertaining resource. This book was a great read for my sister and I. One particular feature I enjoyed was the letters and postcards sent back and forth between Max and the T.rex. The illustrations are bold and vibrant which allow for the story to come to life, in addition to the fold out features which allow the letters/postcards become tangible.
This would be a great book to use in a classroom setting to introduce letter writing for young children.

[Alli Smith Hagerty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love how the story consists of letters being written back and forth. This would be a good book to read to discuss the format of a letter and discuss why letters are written. This book is also a vey informative book. This book also has very colorful illustrations and there is a lot to look at in the illustrations.

[Stephanie Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a lovely story. I used it with my Year 1 class and there were so many good writing opportunities. My class went on a trip to ONHM so that we could be just like Max. We had great fun writing and posting our own letters, postcards, birthday cards and email (that we typed up on PurpleMash later). I would definitely recommend this book for anyone with a dinosaur topic.

[Joshlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in my Edrd 204 class and thought it was so cute! I love the reader to character engagement and the post cards that are in it! its super cute and fun and children would love it! great way to bring up the topic of dinosaurs and even how to write post cards!

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute, but the pull-out letters and postcards make I‎t not overly possible as an addition to my school library. :-)

[Chris Hays · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well this is cute for a read aloud with younger children. Probably best in a one on one situation.

[Mikaela Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

write letters
history
dinosaur names
how to write a letter in different forms
how to mail letters
great interactive aspect

[Sarah Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun book to talk about writing and would be great to include in a writing center. You could include post cards and write letters.

[Brittney Noyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute book!

This could be a great book to have in a writing center so students can look at what a letter should look like!

[Sharon Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent kids book, my 5 yr old loved it and so did i

[Lila Lovebug · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fantastic book!

[Christina Guadalupe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story Time book. Read for my high schoolers during homecoming when they did "naptime" they got to Roar and cheer. It was great.

[Tiffany T · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids loved this one. Cute story. Lots of writing letters back and forth.

[Nel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kids loved it, cute book

[Poppy Thorpe · Rating 4 out of 5]

We've been big fans of Dear Chocosaur for a long time so it's lovely to add this one to our collection! The real letters in this story are a big hit.

[Savannah Lamb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book could be used to introduce writing letters and how it is done. It can also be used to talk about the different kind of ways that "letters" can be sent (ex: via email, postcards, written letters, etc). Friendship can also be discussed within the context of this book.

[Madison Odendahl · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute dinosaur book, would use in classroom

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this picture book, with its added correspondence between a young boy and a museum Tyrannosaurus (yes it really is the dinosaur writing & not museum expert Dinosaur Dora - after all that's why T Rex have small arms, for writing!) . Nicola O'Byrne's illustrations are bright, colourful and very engaging and the story is humorous and just delightful. A must buy for any primary school library or dino loving child - but they can't have my copy, I'm keeping it to share with future grandchildren!

[Zoie Mann]

-authentic writing
-dinosaurs write letters back and forth
-very cute book!
-good activity to introduce how to write letters

[Emily Back]

-A book of letters
-Good to use when doing letter work or certain writing works

[Kelly]

This book is made up of all letters. It would be great to put postcards in the writing center with this book.