Rex

by Simon James (Artist)

Rex

Genres: Picture Books, Dinosaurs, Childrens, Family, Fiction, Adoption, Storytime

40 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2014

About the author

Simon James is the award-winning author-illustrator of many children’s books, including such favorites as DEAR GREENPEACE, LEON AND BOB, and the Baby Brains series. His stories often concern a child’s relationship with the natural world. Simon James lives in England.

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Dinotastic' story about adoption...may help small children trying to cope with a new family. The art was very nice; took me back to the books I use to buy at book sales in grade school. Of course 'T-Rex' means 'tyrant lizard king' - which I would argue lots of parents have to put up with - when a small child is insecure.

[Allies Opinions · Rating 5 out of 5]

When it comes to Children, there is undoubtedly a huge demand for anything Dino. Both of my kids love dinosaurs and we have thoroughly exhausted two libraries worth of anything and everything Dinosaur. The same themes are often seen but when I picked up REX, I found a story that was not only fun for the kids but also dealt with a weighty issue.

See, there are a lot of kids out there who either have no family or live in a single parent household. Speaking as a child who was abandoned by both of my biological parents, there is a truck load of emotions that accompany these situations. As a kid who loved to read, it seemed that every book I picked up was about families or the main character had a family member who was trying desperately to find them.

There really isn’t much children’s literature that deals with adoption or abandonment. This book handles it well.

When we first meet little Rex, we know he is abandoned and that emotion is merely mentioned but not explored on. I was dissapointed until I read further and discovered that it is handled. This book doesn’t deeply examine this situation but in my mind, it’s perfect for its age range. It hits on the beginning of what children like me are looking for… association. Just to know that someone (even a make believe Dinosaur) knows about my life would of let me know as a child that I was not as alone as I felt.

To see my full review, check out my blog AlliesOpinions on Wordpress! https://alliesopinions.wordpress.com/...

[Miss Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so cute about a little dinosaur that follows a big dinosaur around. The little one thinks the big one is his dad but what happens when he finds out he's not? Wonderful ending toddler and up because I think the concept will keep the toddlers occupied plus they can roar with the book.

[Silence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audience: Preschool / Grade Schools

Illustrations: Big, bold, dinosaurific!

Plot / Review: The biggest, meanest dinosaur in the land is now… a dad. This is a cute story that talks about how some families are formed by blood, and others by circumstance. Both are equally important and wonderful. Plus, it’s got dinosaurs!

Read Aloud: Yes

[Jenn Swanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A T-Rex falls asleep in a cave and an egg hatches. The baby dinosaur immediately calls him "Dad." This story was adorable and the illustrations were good as well. My daughter enjoyed this story. Would recommend.

[The Library Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

An adoption story, dinosaur style. While tiny dinosaur fans won't get what's going on, they'll love watching Rex and his "Dad." For older kids, a nice, subtle moral about family having nothing to do with biology.

[Heather Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

megan winter reading 2017, children's book, picture book, adoption, dinosaurs, step-parents, cute, humor, fathers, children, first grade, second grade,

[Ms. Jeane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I checked this out for a Dinosaur theme storytime but I think I'm going to hold on to it for Father's Day!

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once upon a time some 65 million years ago, it just happened. A terrifying tyrannosaurus became a clueless step-dad.

After the story establishes that Tyrannosaurus Rex is, indeed, terrifying... One morning he is roused from a sound sleep by this very little stranger:

"Who dares wake me up?" roared the big dinosaur.
"I am Tyrannosaurus Rex!"

"Rex?" repeated the little dinosaur.

THUS, STEPCHILD AND DAD MEET CUTE

From then on, the story gets better and better, culminating in a fine plot twist at the end.

Oh yes, I'd call this a FIVE STAR creation, with words and illustrations both by Simon James.

[Axl Mendoza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rex by Simon James is a cute story about a big T. rex and a tiny baby dinosaur becoming a family. I don’t know how I would use it in class, but I loved it. It made me smile and shows that caring and love can come in all shapes and sizes. It’s a fun and heartwarming book that kids and families would enjoy reading together.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this was a really great idea for a story that was kind of poorly executed. A baby dinosaur hatches in a cave and finds a T-Rex which he believes is his dad. I think it could have been a lot funnier, like the Lil Petey/Petey relationship in Dogman. But it was okay.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun dinosaur story with a theme of family.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well done!! Sometimes you do get to choose your family

[Elise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was definitely on the adorable side.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable story of dad dino and baby dino. Pictures are super cute.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about being a dad (or an adoptive dad!)

[Fritz Loehrke · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very cute story about non traditional adoptive fatherhood

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book; a very quick read.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story with a message about “accidental” fatherhood, love, and the power of example.

[The Book Box]

Mama read this to me the other night.

[skcocnaH · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Candace]

Two year old who lives Trexs enjoys this book a lot.

[Miss Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tyrannosaurus Rex is a big scary dinosaur that all the other dinosaurs are scared of. It is surprising when a small dinosaur named Rex claims him as his dad.

[Roben · Rating 3 out of 5]

T Rex is a big, bad dinosaur. I think that's pretty well established as fact. This T Rex is no different - except that he falls asleep in a cave with an abandoned egg. When the egg hatches, the little dino automatically assume Rex is his dad. And begins to act just like him. I think it's a good message that even though the littld dino is adopted, he looks up to Rex and wants to be just like him. I'm not fond of the fact that Rex bullies the other dinos - and so the little dino thinks that's OK. But lots of dnosaur names and a big, bad bully of a T Rex will appeal to many kids.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Baby T. Rex follows dad around and learns the ropes.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This might be the first time ever I will use the word "precious" in connection with a book on dinosaurs. Heaven help us all. Loved this.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heart-warming with a really nice father-son message, although I'm not sure a few of the details are dino-accurate (sleeping in a cave? a warm foot? herbivores with scary sharp teeth?)

[Michelle Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Themes: family, dinosaurs

[Abbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable!

[Renae Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

A T-Rex is the scariest dinosaur out there and is very happy in his solitary life. Scaring other dinosaurs is just the best, but one day a lost egg hatches while he is sleeping in the same cave. The baby dinosaur, Rex, thinks he is his dad and aspires to be just as scary as him one day.

6+1 Traits:
Word Choice
Presentation

Guided Reading: K
Accelerated Reading: 2