Sinclair, the Velociraptor Who Thought He Was a Chicken

by Douglas Rees, Galia Bernstein (illustrator)

An action-packed and hilarious picture book about a family of chickens with one member who is a little different from the rest.

Edna the very first chicken is hatching her very first eggs!

With long, sharp teeth and claws, one of her chicks, Sinclair, is an unusual chicken. But when Gorgosaurus threatens his family, Sinclair might just prove to be the best chicken ever.

Heartfelt and humorous, this delightful picture book celebrates dinosaurs, chickens, the importance of family, and the joy of accepting who we are.

Genres: Picture Books, Dinosaurs, Childrens, Fiction, Animals, Storytime, Humor

40 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 16, 2024

About the author

I was born on October 19th, 1947 in the hospital at March Air Force Base just outside Riverside, California. My father, Norman, was a career sergeant who'd served as an aircraft mechanic and infantryman in the Philippines campaign early in the war and was taken prisoner on Bataan. My mother, Agnes, was a nurse at the hospital where he was sent to recuperate after the war was over.

Until I was fifteen, I lived on or near a number of Air Force bases in this country and in Germany. My sister, Patricia, was born in 1950 at Travis AFB.

Until I was six, I wanted to be a fireman. Between six and twelve, I wanted to be a paleontologist. When I was twelve, I decided I wanted to be a writer. I still haven't outgrown that.

I made some occasional stabs at writing and submitting manuscripts in my twenties and thirties. When I turned forty-seven, I decided to start writing things more regularly. I've been doing so ever since.

Reviews

[Holly Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read Tyrannosaurus Rex vs Enda, the Very First Chicken to almost all 300 students at my elementary school, I attest to the peels of laughter it generated from every class. I think this is a worthy addition to the hilarity. So much fun. And our young Velociraptor, Sinclair, is pretty darned adorable. Long live the chicken family.

[Melissa Rochelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Similar theme to Rory the Remarkable Dragon, but instead of a chicken who is raised with dragons, Sinclair is a velociraptor raised by a hen. Rory is much funnier, but Sinclair is still very sweet and fun to read aloud.

[Therearenobadbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 love the cover. Sinclair is the perfect found family/adoption story of a velociraptor who thinks he's a chicken and protects his siblings from bullies. Listened as an audiobook, great to listen to in the car after a bad day in school. It's uplifting and fun. Good message.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Edna the first chicken, and this book in the same vein did not disappoint! Charming and funny with great kid-friendly pictures. A raptor egg hatches amongst a family of chickens and joins the family, protecting them from danger.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cute and funny retelling of a classic tale includes an additional heartwarming twist that, rather than mocking him for who they think he's supposed to be, Sinclair's community already loves him for who he is.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the only picture books this year that has really lived up to my expectations. I always love Galia Bernstein's illustrations, and they are so fun here. This story is funny and heartwarming in a way that adults and kids will really enjoy. A great dino story.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A velociraptor happens to hatch among a brood of chickens and struggles to develop a sense of belonging until adversity reveals his true identity to save the day. Budding paleontologists and dino-philes will enjoy the illustrations and the repeated use of dinosaur names.

[Mehsi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite absolutely HATING how velociraptors look in this day and age (my precious babies are ruined) I still had to read this book and I had fun with it! I loved Sinclair being like Babe but instead of dogs Sinclair thought they were a chicken. I loved seeing them battle with Gorgosaurus.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yay yay love it

[Shazzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read HC edition (9781250781994)

[Alyssa Gudenburr · Rating 4 out of 5]

A silly story about a chicken hatching a velociraptor along with chickens.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

You go, Sinclair! Way to save the day!!

[Steph]

Turn/Level: 1/3

[Nicole Stanton]

What a cute idea!

[Y.Poston]

cute

[Rolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love everything about this hilarious and sweet book. It's about family, and how family is more than genetics.

It's also about dinosaurs, which is always fun.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really cute book. I enjoyed reading it and looking at the pictures.

[Diana Salazar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stellar illustrations. Printed on High quality paper!

It’s a story about dinosaurs and chickens. One of the chickens is named Diana. Instantly, I’m a fan.