T. Veg: The Story of a Carrot-Crunching Dinosaur

by Smriti Prasadam-Halls, Katherina Manolessou (Illustrations)

Reginald’s a T. Rex just as fierce and ferocious as the rest: he’s got a mighty roar, gnashing teeth, and all the speed a dino could need. But when it comes to mealtime, Reg would rather chow down on broccoli, beans, and greens than the juicy steaks his paleo pals prefer. When Reginald realizes how different he is from the others, he hopes to find a place to fit in among the herbivores. He excitedly strikes out in search of a new herd, only to scare away the other dinosaurs as he charges to greet them. But when a falling boulder threatens the safety of Reg’s old T. Rex clan, he’ll show everyone what only a strong, vegetarian Tyrannosaurs rex can do. A celebration of vegetarianism, T. Veg is a rollicking laugh-out-loud tale about being unapologetically yourself.

Genres: Picture Books, Dinosaurs, Food, Childrens, Fiction, Animals, Friendship

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2015

About the author

Smriti Prasadam-Halls is an award-winning, internationally best-selling children’s author whose books have been published in more than thirty languages. Her titles include the Publishers Weekly #1 bestseller I Love You Night and Day, illustrated by Alison Brown. Smriti Prasadam-Halls previously worked at the BBC and in children’s publishing and television as a writer and editor for twelve years. She lives in London with her husband and three sons.

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you know a small child that loves dinosaurs but hates vegetables? Then this book is for you! Fantastic story and art will have that little guy or gal ready to tear into some carrots (and more)! Right after reading this book I made myself a 'dino' sized salad - so I know it can make you want to really bite into some vegetables!

[Chris Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just took time out from essay writing to check out what's new at the SEC, I came across this book. Instantly wanted to read it based on the fact it's about dinosaurs :). Lovely book, really like the pictures and the way each T-Rex is drawn. I really like the multitude of messages within the story itself. And to top it off there is a lovely rhyming pattern going on throughout!

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story is a little thin - but I love the concept.

[SarahEmily1990 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful, bright pictures accompanying a lovely rhyming story (sounds lovely read aloud!) about acceptance of those different to us and always being yourself

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silly but fun - a great read aloud.

[Lauren Drake · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells the story of a t-rex called Reginald who eats fruit and veg instead of meat like the rest of the pack. They all make fun of Reginald until he saves them from getting crushed by a big rock.
The illustrations are bright and colourful which really makes it stand out on a shelf for children to pick up and read. I found that having such bright illustrations also made it more exciting to read.
I think that this book would be good for introducing children to healthy eating and having a balanced diet.
This book also carries the message of how it is ok to be different and unique.

[Mrs. Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

2 year old dino lover was enraptured!

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bouncy rhyming book about a T Rex who loves fruits and vegetables.

[Cassandra Gelvin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pick a lane.

This review was originally published at http://www.drttmk.com/books/t-veg-sto....

I don't know where this book is going. I'm not really sure exactly what it thinks is the most important thing to say. I'll give it this: it's got pretty good rhymes and meter. It's well-written and well-executed in the technical sense.

There's a Tyrannosaurus Rex named Reginald who eats only vegetables and fruits. The other tyrannosaurs rexes make fun of him. It oddly describes carrot cake as "crunchy". Reg eats things like smoothies, fruit, pie and cake. He doesn't really eat healthily, despite being a vegetarian, but again, I'm not really sure if this book is saying that vegetarianism is something that everybody should embrace-- it's more like it's saying that there's nothing wrong with vegetarianism. At any rate, he's as strong as the other T. Rexes. But they tell him he needs to eat meat. They taunt him so much that he runs away.

He thinks maybe he'd prefer life as an herbivore, so he tries out different herbivore type things like hanging out in river slime and mooing, but doesn't enjoy them. The weirdest part is that it says, "And when it came to foraging, Reggie didn't have a clue./'I'd better find some herbivores to show me what to do!'" What? Where was he getting all his fruit and vegetables from before if he wasn't foraging? Was he going down to the T. Rex market? No, the other T. Rexes don't want to eat fruits and vegetables, so they would grow them or forage. This makes no sense. It's an enormous plot hole in this book. The book is weird enough, and that just makes it weirder.

Then he tries to approach some herbivores, but they all run away screaming because they think that he's gonna eat them. While this is happening, the other T. Rexes are sad because they're actually missing him, and thinking maybe it doesn't matter what he eats. Then, they're walking around in search of him, and, deus ex machina, a big rock is gonna fall on them from the top of a mountain. "Reginald the T. Rex spotted them from far away./He galloped to their rescue and he bravely saved the day!" Again, what? If he was "far away", how did he get there before any of the rest of them could block the boulder with their bodies? Or before they could, you know, run out of the way? All the other T. Rexes are amazed, of course. Does a vegetarian diet make him stronger than them? It's not discussed. They describe him as "unique" and ask him to come back home, saying they're sorry (which, of course, they were before he saved them, so that whole event is really unnecessary). And they actually show evidence of this through their actions, cooking for him "a feast of vegetable kebabs,/And roasted squash and mushrooms,/Which they all agreed were fab!" And I'm really confused because I've always pronounced kebabs with a long "a" (like, it rhymes with "bobs") and "fab" definitely has a short "a", so in my dialect, these words definitely don't rhyme. It makes me wonder whether the author pronounces it differently, or has just never heard the word pronounced out loud.

The last sentence in the book is, "And then they danced the night away,/Because they know it's true.../The best thing in the world is being happy being you!" And I still don't know whether this book is extolling vegetarianism as a lifestyle that everybody should choose, or just saying that it's okay for one person to be vegetarian and we shouldn't make fun of them? It doesn't ever mention anything moral about vegetarianism, which is unusual, because very often vegetarians choose that lifestyle because of a perceived moral benefit. But this is just like, okay, there's this vegetarian T. Rex, and isn't that weird. Let's all make fun of him. Wait, he left, and now we miss him, so let's not make fun of him anymore. It's almost like vegetarianism is a random choice in this. Like they're trying to use vegetarianism as a metaphor for some other lifestyle choice that I really can't figure out. Is it metaphorical? Is this book trying to be super deep? Or is it just like so bizarre and shallow that it doesn't get that it's confusing?

I guess the the artwork is nice. It kind of looks like stamps in a way. It's not a bad book, just a weird one.

Message: Vegetarianism is good. Or, don't discriminate against people. I really wish it would pick one.

[Christine Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reginald's a T. Rex just as fierce and ferocious as the rest: he's got a mighty roar, gnashing teeth, and all the speed a dino could need. But when it comes to mealtime, Reg would rather chow down on broccoli, beans, and greens than the juicy steaks his paleo pals prefer. When Reginald realizes how different he is from the others, he hopes to find a place to fit in among the herbivores. He excitedly strikes out in search of a new herd, only to scare away the other dinosaurs as he charges to greet them. But when a falling boulder threatens the safety of Reg's old T. Rex clan, he'll show everyone what only a strong, vegetarian Tyrannosaurs rex can do. A celebration of vegetarianism, T. Veg is a rollicking laugh-out-loud tale about being unapologetically yourself.


Notes
Smriti Prasadam-Halls was born in South India and now lives in Britain, where she works as a prolific children's book author. Katherina Manolessou grew up in Greece and now lives in London.

[Mehsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dit was een heel leuk, kleurrijk prentenboek, ik ben heel blij dat ik de kans had om hem te lezen. :)

Zeg hallo tegen Boo. Hallo Boo! Boo is een T-rex. Maar niet zomaar een T-rex, oh nee. Boo is een speciaal soort T-rex. Terwijl zijn beste vrienden, zijn familie, en iedereen om hem heen alleen maar vlees willen eten is Boo juist een vegetarier en eet hij het liefst een worteltaartje! Of een lekkere andijvieprakje. Je kunt je voorstellen dat Boo zich niet helemaal thuis voelt, en dat ook de andere dino’s hem maar een vreemde snuiter vinden. En dat is allemaal waar. Arme Boo, hij is net zo geweldig, net zoveel een T-rex als de anderen, alleen eet hij alleen maar groente en fruit.

Het boek laat ons dan ook zien wat er gebeurt met Boo, en wat hij gaat doen. Ik zal niks verklappen, lees maar het boek en zie wat er gebeurt. Ik kan je wel zeggen dat ik het heel leuk vond. Het einde was echt geweldig en heel lief, misschien een beetje té duwend in een vlees-is-niet-goed-sector. Maar ach, verder is was het goed.

De illustraties zijn zeer kleurrijk en ik heb zeker van ze genoten, ook al vond ik Boo (of de anderen) er nou niet echt uit zien als een T-rex, dus dat was een beetje jammer. Maar verder waren de illustraties echt leuk.

Dit boek is zeker een aanrader. Kinderen, maar ook volwassenen, zullen dit boek zeker leuk gaan vinden.

Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[Educateempower · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever considered becoming a Vegetarian? Or perhaps even a Veganism?

Did you get hassled? Questioned? Teased?

Reginald the T-Rex does – and he is not happy about it.


Reginald is a fierce T-Rex, he can run fast, jump high and roar very loudly! However, he just doesn’t want to eat meat – he wants to eat carrot cake, vegetable stew and banana berry cake instead!! His friends laugh at him and tell him that there he cannot be T-Rex if he is to continue these veggie eating ways and with this, Reginald walks away.

He tries to befriend some other herbivores but when they just run away he tries to act like a herbivore but finds it too boring. Sad and confused Reginald heads for home – only to find that his T-Rex friends really do need him – and it’s lucky that he has returned!

This book, written in rhyme is a fun adventure into the world of vegetarianism and acceptance of everyone – no matter what they eat, look like or believe in. Children will learn that everyone is equal, special and has something to add to the community.

Katherine Manolessou’s illustrations are bright and energetic and she makes Reginald an easy to love T-Veg – Rex.

Perhaps you have never considered a carrot crunching dinosaur to send a message about Vegetarianism or acceptance of differences – but written in fast paced rhyme, this book does just that.

Perhaps it’s time you enjoyed some more vegetarian meals!

So what can you do at home? Check out my blog!!

[Stef · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ce livre est une belle mise en bouche pour parler de régime alimentaire different, mais à nuancer ensuite en discutant ; en effet, (spoiler), il est accepté par sa communauté parce qu'il a beaucoup de force (ce n'est pas uniquement ça mais je ne veux pas tout spoiler !), c'est donc assez validiste - il faut prouver qu'on n'est pas tout "ramolo" (mot du livre) si on est végétarien, la seule option semble être d'avoir une force incroyable. Si c'est dans une perspective végétarienne/végane (les aliments cités sont véganes) que vous le lisez à votre enfant, il peut y avoir cette impression d'une forme d'obligation pour votre enfant d'être fort, d'avoir des muscles et de l'énergie, donc sportif. Aussi, Alex le t-rex est un "il", ça a selon moi son importance dans cette notion de "petit garçon fort malgré son régime alimentaire". A nuancer, donc ;)

[Vitani Days · Rating 4 out of 5]

Libro molto grazioso, con belle illustrazioni colorate e accattivanti, nato neanche tanto per spiegare ai bambini la diversità quanto per avvicinarli alla frutta e alla verdura (rappresentate, come si vede già dalla copertina, con colori accesi e vivaci).
Il tema della diversità viene infatti affrontato in modo un po' sottotono, e concordo con una recensione del Corriere della Sera in cui si dice che il messaggio che vuole emergere sembra essere quello che "puoi essere diverso solo se sei migliore degli altri", come il T-Veg Reginaldo che è il più veloce nella corsa.
A parte questo piccolo appunto, che pure passa in secondo piano, libro per bambini assolutamente consigliato.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

En søt, morsom og fin bildebok om det om å tørre og være annerledes. Ikke minst det å stikke seg litt ut fra "normalen". Fargerike illustrasjoner og lite tekst. Har ikke prøvd som en høytlesing bok ennå, men skal teste neste gang det er lesestund på jobben. Det som også er bra med boken er at den handler om vegetarkost, og kan være en ypperlig samtaleåpner for småbarn hvis man lurer på om hva det å være vegetarianer er for noe. Vel å merke forklarer den ikke i dybden, men åpner for mer samtale om emnet. :)

[Nessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read just about every vegan/vegetarian themed book for kids, and this one has great mass market appeal. Lovely art, nice prose... it didn't ridicule omnivores, and it could be read to vegan or vegetarian kids without confusing them with messy things like eggs. It could be simply read as the eponymous Reg just being different and that's OK, and it doesn't have to be scary that someone eats different things.

Some may think this book plays it safe by avoiding animal rights and so on, but there are plenty of books that do that. We need a soft-sell too.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet little T-rex isn't a meat eater like the rest of his T-rex friends, and he gets some grief about that. But he proves that just because he's vegetarian doesn't mean he's less strong than them.

I really liked the lesson in this book. But I also liked the idea of vegetarianism being addressed. Combine that with the colorful illustrations and it equals a great book.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a favorite of mine to read during storytimes! I love that it talks about being a vegetarian but it's also about being different and how that is just fine and that your "herd" will like you anyway despite your differences and how those differences can be seen as advantages. I still need to share this one with my nieces.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keep an eye on this illustrator - her colors are shapes are absolutely edible.

[Laine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I AM T-VEG. haha didn't expect to identify so hard with a dinosaur.

[MaryLibrarianOH · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a way to get kids to eat their fruits and vegetables.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Love Love!

[Heather Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

megan summer reading 2017, children's book, picture book, humor, dinosaurs, vegetarians, veggies, prek, kindergarten, first grade, second grade,

[Taylor Kundel-Gower · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not usually super into dinosaur books, but I think this one will be awesome for vegan and vegetarian kids as they will strongly identify with Reg. I know I did!

[Alyssa Gudenburr · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very funny story about a T rex who is a vegetarian. A great story to read to elementary children about being different.

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's SO CUTE. And all about healthy eating and being different. Simply delightful.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book because while the T-Rexes munched on steak, Reg (the dinosaur) ate carrot cake. He said "it's just so yum! You should try it out!"

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came across this picture storybook at a Half-price Books, and as a vegetarian I needed to read it. The storyline is innovative and engaging, following a one-of-a-kind vegetarian T-rex. The screen printed illustrations pop with color, providing equally important additions to the storyline like explanations for terms like herbivore and funny contradictions to the text. The plot follows Reginald, the vegetarian T-rex, who feels like he does not fit in because he does not eat meat like the rest of his friends and family. Reg is teased and told he is not a real T-rex because his friends do not understand him. He searches for a group of dinosaurs who WILL understand him, like the herbivores, but they were scared away. The other T-rexes miss T-veg Reg, and as they go after him, a huge bolder begins falling towards them. Reg is strong from his fruits and veggies and is able to save them all; "You're strong and you're unique!" The T-rexes go home to celebrate and feast on all kinds of foods, including fruits and veggies. The book ends, "... the best thing in the world is being happy being YOU!" I would recommend this book for students grades Kindergarten through third as a read aloud. Its fun rhyming lines could be used in a classroom lesson about rhyming words. Other lessons could include bullying, celebrating differences, and nutrition. As a vegetarian, I feel validated in that I cannot recall having read another children's book about a vegetarian character; "T-veg" represents us, vegetarians or those with dietary restrictions. I highly recommend this book and will read it to my future classes.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here’s the story in a nutshell:

T-Rex Reginald loves to eat fruits and veggies. His family disapproves and his friends make fun of him. He loves who he is but miserable because of the way his family and friends are treating him. They don’t accept him so he runs away thinking he’ll find another group in which he can fit in. However, he doesn’t really fit in with the other groups either. Meanwhile, his family and friends are missing him so they set out to search for him. Soon they find themselves in danger and T-Rex Reg saves them. Suddenly they realize that being different isn’t bad and can even be an asset. So they throw him a party in which they all eat fruit and veg, showing the ultimate acceptance of T-Rex Reg and his wonderful differences!

My son and I highly enjoyed the fun rhyming throughout the whole story and the colorful, cheerful illustrations. I personally thought the story was so sweet, and it showed my son that differences are entirely fine and it’s okay to be who you really are.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars -- T. VEG is an absolute delight. The illustrations, which feature Day-Glo colors and fill each page with joyful creatures and lots of detail, are an eye-catching highlight.

T. VEG features a storyline familiar to kid's entertainment--a character has a quality unlike the others of the group and is ostracized for it, until the character does something that makes the former bullies learn a lesson about accepting others and that it's OK to be ourselves. In this case, T. Veg is a Tyrannosaurus who passes on the brontosaurus steaks and instead munches on fruits and veggies!

T. VEG is a reassuring little story for vegetarian kids--or any kid who sometimes does things a little different than the rest of the group. At the same time, it's fun and inclusive enough to appeal to even the most mainstream audiences, and should find a wonderful home in public and school libraries.