Trouble at the Dinosaur Cafe

by Brian Moses, Garry Parsons (Illustrator)

Down at the Dinosaur Cafe
everybody's doing fine,
Steggy is slurping his swamp juice
and Iggy is ready to dine.
But in stomps Tyrannosaurus
with a wicked gleam in his eye―
he's mean, he's bad, he's hungry
and he's ordered dinosaur pie!

Genres: Dinosaurs, Childrens, Picture Books, Food, Humor, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 3, 2006

About the author

Brian Moses has been a professional children’s poet since 1988.. To date he has over 200 books published including volumes of his own poetry such as A Cat Called Elvis and Lost Magic: The Very Best of Brian Moses (both Macmillan), anthologies such as The Secret Lives of Teachers and Aliens Stole My Underpants (both Macmillan) and picture books such as Beetle in the Bathroom and Trouble at the Dinosaur Cafe (both Puffin).

Over 1 million copies of Brian’s poetry books have now been sold by Macmillan.

Brian also runs writing workshops and performs his own poetry and percussion shows. To date he has given over 3000 performances in schools, libraries, theatres and at festivals throughout the UK and abroad.

He is also founder & co-director of a national scheme for able writers administered by his booking agency Authors Abroad.

CBBC commissioned him to write a poem for the Queen’s 80th birthday and he was invited by Prince Charles to speak at his Cambridge University teachers’ day in 2007.

A new book of history poems: 1066 & Before That (co-written with Roger Stevens), picture books The Frog Olympics and Dreamer: Saving Our Wild World (OtterBarry Books) and his childhood memoir Keeping Clear of Paradise Street have just been published.

Forthcoming are Python - his first children’s novel, The Waggiest Tails: Dog Poems written with Roger Stevens, and a ‘Best of’ of his poems for younger children.

Reviews

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

With a cute story and wonderful illustrations it is a great book. It was a huge hit in this house. Who doesn't love dinosaurs?

[Pamela Howard · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is extremely cute and has some awesome illustrations. This is definitely a read aloud and can be used for entertainment and to possibly express some of the dynamics of bullying. It definitely gets a little rowdy and the cafe is extremely in a mess, but my four year old loved the story line which could be possibly because of the different voices I chose to read with. The only thing that I am not too fund of is how my four year old began to act as if he was a mean dinosaur and began to terrorize the older boys like the characters in the story. Whenever I choose to read this one again, it is imperative to talk about the events that should not happen and what are some things that can be done to prevent fighting.

[Catherine Wuchner · Rating 4 out of 5]

The picture book, “Trouble at the Dinosaur Cafe” by Brian Moses, takes place in a 1950s diner for herbivore dinosaurs and a carnivore dinosaur tries to hurt everyone at the cafe. This book is great for children who love dinosaurs and teaches children to be brave when dealing with a bully. Also, the picture book teaches children that when dealing with a bully, that they should get help and not deal with the situation alone. The book should help children that you should be kind towards others. That it is not right to bully others to get what you want. The dinosaurs are being used as motivational figures for children so that they learn how to be brave and to do the right thing even if it is scary. According to the article, “Introduction to Picturebook Codes”, doorways are a sign of new beginnings or trouble in books. The picture book “Trouble at the Dinosaur Cafe” shows at the beginning, the door is wide open, and in the distance, smoke is coming out of a volcano. However, when the bully leaves through the door, the sky is dark filled with smoke and is gray as if telling the reader that the bully is going to have bad luck for his previous actions.

[XOX · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richard Armitage read The Trouble at the Dinosaur Cafe. Lovely read.

The dinosaurs are having a good time at the cafe but the bully Rex comes in. Luckily, Rex is defeated with tickles.

https://youtu.be/W5wag--kIvM

[Tris Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is one of those books that my daughter asked to read over and over again, and while it was fine the first time through, it didn't hold up under the weight of multiple rereads.

[Nina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Moral of the story: Always have Terry Triceratops on speed dial.
(Brilliantly read by Richard Armitage for CBeebies.)

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a fun, entertaining read for dinosaur-loving kids. Picture book perfection.

[Tamara Cooper Raccuia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A family favorite

[fiona]

tag yourself

im iggy the c**y green dinosaur with demure lashes, a pearl necklace, and a cute lil purse that holds my cellphone

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trouble at the Dinosaur Cafe was a cute and quick fun book to read. a bunch of herbivores are sitting at the cafe minding their own business when in walks mean bullying Tyrannosaurus Rex. He threatens to eat them all because he doesn't like what they're eating and meat is the best thing around. One of the waitresses dinosaurs called a Triceratops for help and he comes down and set the Tyrannosaurus Rex straight saying that they are not food and his ways will not be tolerated; he promptly vacates area.

[Missy Kirtley]

I think this one might work a little better with an older child. My daughter enjoys dinosaurs, but I think this may be aimed more at boys than at girls. It seems as if the lesson is a good one... though I'm not sure how I feel about the delivery. "Don't be a bully" is a good lesson, but... "if you're a bully other people will hold you down and tickle you"? I'm not sure I approve of the gang-bang mentality.

It's going back to the library.

[Ariell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I borrowed this from the library this week because I thought my two boys would like it. They did. They've been wanting me to read it rather frequently. It is a pretty simplistic story, written in a poetic format. My kids like it so that is what counts so long as the message is appropriate for their age and it is.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a humorous tale that introduces a hungry T-Rex into a tranquil vegetarian café for dinosaurs. The rhyming narrative is fun to read aloud and the illustrations are colorful and cartoonish.

This book is sure to appeal to dinosaur fans of all ages and the lesson of standing up to a bully is a good one to learn.

[Lauren Stoolfire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book Riot posted a story about celebrities reading children's stories and here Richard Armitage tells the tale. Very cute little picture book about how a group of dinosaurs take care of a bullying T-Rex at a cafe. It sounds like Armitage got a little of his vocal inspiration for Thorin here!

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

When T-Rex comes stomping into the Dinosaur Cafe and the plant-eating dinosaurs start quaking in their boots. Luckily Terry Triceratops arrives to save the day. My storyhour kids were riveted by this book.

[Catherine Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant rhyming picture book about some herbivores in a cafe being disturbed by a T-Rex. The rhyme is excellent. The drama is great. And a great funny ending. Lovely bright illustrations too. Perfect!

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the way that my mom reads this book!
I like looking at the pictures of the restaurant that are in the front and back of the book. In the front of the book, it's neat and clean. In the back of the book it's dirty. It's dirty because dinosaurs were fighting.

[Virginia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think the main thing I dislike about this book is the story. The T-Rex models such terrible behavior and my son is scandalized. LOL. However, he does love dinosaurs so he still likes to look at the pictures. I just don't read him the story itself.

[Suzanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

T-Rex trying to eat other dinosaurs isn't the best storytime book.

[Marci · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for kids, my 3 year old loves it! The illustrations are great and the adventures of the dinosaurs are entertaining.

[Katherine]

I don't think Terry Triceratops's hat fits him properly. I'm not sure how it stays on his head.

The Dinosaur Cafe has got to be a physically huge building.

[John]

REALLY fun book, with GREAT illustrations!

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

nice and silly

[Hung-ya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is sure to especially appeal to little dinosaur fans!! I love it.

[Jenn Swanson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Both my daughter and I enjoyed the illustrations and the wording was very simple. It was enjoyable though. I would recommend this for younger children or kids who enjoy dinosaurs.

[Felix & Oscar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a funny book.

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

AR 3.2 -- 0.5 pts
Very creative!

[Peaches · Rating 4 out of 5]

Richard Armitage <3

[Bear · Rating 4 out of 5]

Utterly delightful. Probably going to be a good Dial-a-Story. :)