T-Rex Is Missing!: A Barkers Book

Barker Twins

by Tomie dePaola, Jennifer Smith-Stead

Morgie's favorite dino, T-Rex, is missing, and Morgie thinks that his best friend Billy may have taken it. Once again, Tomie dePaola has written a funny and easy-to-read story about two of the hardest words in the English language-"I'm sorry."

Genres: Fiction, Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Tomie dePaola (pronounced Tommy da-POW-la) was best known for his books for children.

He had a five-decade writing and illustrating career during which he published more than 270 books, including 26 Fairmount Avenue, Strega Nona, and Meet the Barkers.

Tomie dePaola and his work have been recognized with the Caldecott Honor Award, the Newbery Honor Award, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, and the New Hampshire Governor's Arts Award of Living Treasure.

Reviews

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

My children absolutely adore this book. Reading literature is so important to the development of a child's mind, and I cannot think of thing I would rather do then sit down to read to them in the evenings. Imagination and growth are so vital in those so young.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

My children absolutely adore this book. Reading literature is so important to the development of a child's mind, and I cannot think of thing I would rather do then sit down to read to them in the evenings. Imagination and growth are so vital in those so young.

[Tiffiny · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great message, not written well.

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good conversation starter about what to do when friends don’t get along.

[Sarah Copeland · Rating 1 out of 5]

A ( 4 years old):
I didn’t like that Morgie and Billy were small and saying sorry is difficult.

[Savannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

T-Rex is Missing!: A Barkers Book is an early reader book because of its simple words and big font, and the picture clues that help to figure out the words. This story is about Morgie and his lost toy T-rex. Morgie's friend Billy came over to play and asked Morgie why he never gets to play with the T-rex. He told him because it's his favorite. After Billy goes home, Morgie can't find the T-rex and thinks Billy must have taken it. But, why would his best friend take his favorite toy? Did he?

The reason I chose to read this book is because it has dinosaurs. This is a great early reader book because many young children love dinosaurs, so they can relate to this story. The shape is a small book compared to the average children’s books. This makes it easier for little hands that are needing to hold the book close as they practice their reading skills. The illustrations are in a circular fashion with white as the border. The text is either at the top or bottom of the white page. There is no more than twenty words on the page. The style of the book is cartoon art because the characters are dogs that have human qualities.Because it is an early reader the interplay among text and illustration is symmetrical to make it easier for the beginner readers. I rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars because it is a cute book that is easy to read and teaches those young readers a good lesson as well.

[Mel Raschke]

A "lost" toy dinosaur causes an ugly rift between friends as one blames the other for its disappearance. The contretemps continues at school, but later Morgie discovers his younger brother had "borrowed" T-Rex as a bed companion. Embarrassed, he apologizes to Billy, and all is forgiven. (Morgie and family have golden-tan caninelike heads; Billy appears to be a white rabbit.)

[Elizabeth S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not being familiar with the characters, I had some of them a little mixed up the first time we read this. Even with the minor confusions, though, the book did a good job teaching about being right and wrong, even when "right" seems obvious, and taking the courage to apologize.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a very good lesson about not jumping to conclusions. Morgie blames his best friend for taking his favorite dinosaur. They have a big fight. In the end, Morgie realizes that his friend did not take T-rex after all and feels guilty for accusing him.