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The Girl and the Dinosaur
For fans of The Antlered Ship, this evocative, beautifully illustrated picture book celebrates one girl's limitless imagination.
The wishing stars burn bright tonight, the air is thick with dreams
And a deeply sleeping dinosaur is waking up it seems . . .
In a little town by the seaside, Marianne can often be found foraging on the beach. But she isn’t playing with children her own age; instead Marianne is alone, digging for dinosaur bones. When she finds an entire skeleton, she names him Bony and vows to become his best friend.
That night, she goes to sleep wishing with all her heart that her dinosaur might come to life . . . and her wish comes true. Together, a girl and her dinosaur’s adventures are only limited by their imagination.
The wishing stars burn bright tonight, the air is thick with dreams
And a deeply sleeping dinosaur is waking up it seems . . .
In a little town by the seaside, Marianne can often be found foraging on the beach. But she isn’t playing with children her own age; instead Marianne is alone, digging for dinosaur bones. When she finds an entire skeleton, she names him Bony and vows to become his best friend.
That night, she goes to sleep wishing with all her heart that her dinosaur might come to life . . . and her wish comes true. Together, a girl and her dinosaur’s adventures are only limited by their imagination.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 5, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
March 9, 2020
A rhyming magical book about believing in the impossible. This book was written for me.
This is set in a town by the sea, there is a distinctly New England feel to it. A girl digs ups some dinosaur bones in the sand and wishes on a star and she and the dinosaur spend a night checking out all the magic in this world.
They go through forests with fairies and a floating land in the clouds where children go play with their unusual animals. It’s all very whimsical and made for a younger audience and anyone who believes in the impossible. I need that message at the moment. The artwork is dreamlike- very nice.
The nephew thought the book wasn’t bad. He liked the dinosaurs in the story and the other monsters. He didn’t think it was an exciting story, not really, but it was interesting. He gave it 3 stars.
This is set in a town by the sea, there is a distinctly New England feel to it. A girl digs ups some dinosaur bones in the sand and wishes on a star and she and the dinosaur spend a night checking out all the magic in this world.
They go through forests with fairies and a floating land in the clouds where children go play with their unusual animals. It’s all very whimsical and made for a younger audience and anyone who believes in the impossible. I need that message at the moment. The artwork is dreamlike- very nice.
The nephew thought the book wasn’t bad. He liked the dinosaurs in the story and the other monsters. He didn’t think it was an exciting story, not really, but it was interesting. He gave it 3 stars.
August 15, 2021
Reread for my 365 Kids Book challenge. You can see all the books on their own shelf.
Oh, man, now I want to dig a dinosaur skeleton out of the sand. Seriously, I would have been perfectly happy if nothing else had happened, but there's magic and a wish. The art is lovely, informal and a bit faded looking and loose without being vague. Adorable bedtime book.
Library copy
Oh, man, now I want to dig a dinosaur skeleton out of the sand. Seriously, I would have been perfectly happy if nothing else had happened, but there's magic and a wish. The art is lovely, informal and a bit faded looking and loose without being vague. Adorable bedtime book.
Library copy
April 9, 2021
The most beautiful, magical picture book I’ve ever read. 🦖
June 19, 2025
,A book with a dreamy, magical feel to it, a feeling that is only enhanced by the nice rhyming text on every page. The text is neither too much nor too complicated. We didn't read it for takeaways or anything, it however did help us calm down and relax after a long day!
June 5, 2020
Marianne is a focused little girl who follows her own interests and dreams, even though others can’t understand her passions.
She spends her days painstakingly and patiently digging for dinosaur bones on a sandy beach. Her persistence finally pays off when she discovers a whole dinosaur skeleton! But the story does not end there. It takes a fantastic turn into the magical realm after Marianne goes to sleep and makes a wish for her dinosaur to come to life.
Together, they set out on a journey to an enchanting world filled with wonder and beauty – including unicorns! First they go into a sea, then through a forest, then up to a mountain summit. It is there that they must decide if they are willing to take a leap of faith and learn to fly together to discover an even more fantastic land. Will they do it? Or will they turn around? You'll have to check out this book to find out!
With its beautiful, lyrical rhyming style and gorgeous illustrations, this book is a wonderful one to read out loud when you snuggle up at bedtime. Perfect for any little ones who have a passion for dinosaurs and unicorns and adventurous tales!
Mary Jo N. / Marathon County Public Library
She spends her days painstakingly and patiently digging for dinosaur bones on a sandy beach. Her persistence finally pays off when she discovers a whole dinosaur skeleton! But the story does not end there. It takes a fantastic turn into the magical realm after Marianne goes to sleep and makes a wish for her dinosaur to come to life.
Together, they set out on a journey to an enchanting world filled with wonder and beauty – including unicorns! First they go into a sea, then through a forest, then up to a mountain summit. It is there that they must decide if they are willing to take a leap of faith and learn to fly together to discover an even more fantastic land. Will they do it? Or will they turn around? You'll have to check out this book to find out!
With its beautiful, lyrical rhyming style and gorgeous illustrations, this book is a wonderful one to read out loud when you snuggle up at bedtime. Perfect for any little ones who have a passion for dinosaurs and unicorns and adventurous tales!
Mary Jo N. / Marathon County Public Library
August 15, 2021
Whimsical and imaginative. It's definitely got a "fairy tale" bedtime story vibe with lovely illustrations. My kids weren't too wowed but I think they prefer non-fiction for dino books. When I first read that the little girl's name is Marianne and she was looking for dinosaur bones on the beach, I could see their brows pucker... "Do you mean, Mary Anning?" they asked :-) Oh, yay! I may have done a little happy dance in my heart ;-)
(See: Dinosaur Lady: The Daring Discoveries of Mary Anning, the First Paleontologist, one of their current favorites.)
(See: Dinosaur Lady: The Daring Discoveries of Mary Anning, the First Paleontologist, one of their current favorites.)
January 8, 2020
The Girl and the Dinosaur is a dreamy magical book about a young girl who finds some bones upon the beach.
The story follows Marianne, a little girl from a fishing village who the fisherfolk all worry about as she needs to find some friends, and ‘let those old bones be’. But Marianne is determined to uncover the bones and when she does, she discovers a beastie who she names bones.
Then that night when she goes to sleep, she makes a special wish for her stony bones to come to life. And sure enough, ‘The wishing stars burn bright that night, the air is thick with dreams, and a deeply sleeping dinosaur is waking up, it seems’.
Marianne and her dinosaur go soaring through the night and visit magical places. The rhyme and flow of writing in this book is brilliant and makes it such a joy to read.
The watercolour illustrations are gorgeous – every page is filled with wild wonder and creativeness. My favourite pages are the ones when the dinosaur comes to life and they go soaring through the air and visit mystical places. I want my own dinosaur beastie! This is one of those books were the illustrations and the writing and story match so perfectly, it almost feels as if it was completed by one person.
I just adored this book – it really took me back to my childhood where you feel like anything is possible. You want to ride a dinosaur through the sky at night? Why not! Children love taking some thing real, like fidning bones on the beach and turning it into an imaginery adventure.
The story follows Marianne, a little girl from a fishing village who the fisherfolk all worry about as she needs to find some friends, and ‘let those old bones be’. But Marianne is determined to uncover the bones and when she does, she discovers a beastie who she names bones.
Then that night when she goes to sleep, she makes a special wish for her stony bones to come to life. And sure enough, ‘The wishing stars burn bright that night, the air is thick with dreams, and a deeply sleeping dinosaur is waking up, it seems’.
Marianne and her dinosaur go soaring through the night and visit magical places. The rhyme and flow of writing in this book is brilliant and makes it such a joy to read.
The watercolour illustrations are gorgeous – every page is filled with wild wonder and creativeness. My favourite pages are the ones when the dinosaur comes to life and they go soaring through the air and visit mystical places. I want my own dinosaur beastie! This is one of those books were the illustrations and the writing and story match so perfectly, it almost feels as if it was completed by one person.
I just adored this book – it really took me back to my childhood where you feel like anything is possible. You want to ride a dinosaur through the sky at night? Why not! Children love taking some thing real, like fidning bones on the beach and turning it into an imaginery adventure.
January 17, 2020
So whimsical and imaginative--I loved this! A little girl who digs for dinosaur bones at the beach by day goes on adventures with a dinosaur friend by night. There is this enchanting sense of "this is real, and only kids can know about it" that rings so true to childhood. The rhyme of the text was wonderful and sing-songy and never felt stretched or forced. And the moon on the cover is so sparkly :]
January 13, 2020
Awe! This was so sweet and original! I loved that it was centered around children’s dreamland. Whimsically illustrated and written; all things I love in children’s books! My students are going to love this one!
Pub date: January 14th!
Pub date: January 14th!
May 7, 2020
The cover suggests a bit of a different vibe. Interesting concept, but I found it not living up to my expectations. Still a sweet story worth having a read.
January 13, 2020
Lovely book and beautiful illustrations. Perfect for bedtime read-aloud.
January 21, 2020
Disappointing snoozefest. A girl finds bones, builds a dinosaur skeleton, and then dreams about riding it in the clouds. Yawn.
October 23, 2020
A magical tale about a young girl and her dinosaur Bony. Together they go on the most unbelievable adventures.
Marianne loves spending time at the beach. But the adults at the beach are worried about her. She doesn’t build sandcastles or play with other children. Marianne spends her days down at the beach digging. She is digging for buried bones. Bones to create a dinosaur. And when Marianne falls asleep she wishes that her dinosaur will come to life and whisk her away on magical adventures.
This is a beautiful book that brings to life the power of imagination and dreams. Readers will be swept away to a magical moonlit island floating in the sky passing fairies, unicorns and giants on the way.
Marianne loves spending time at the beach. But the adults at the beach are worried about her. She doesn’t build sandcastles or play with other children. Marianne spends her days down at the beach digging. She is digging for buried bones. Bones to create a dinosaur. And when Marianne falls asleep she wishes that her dinosaur will come to life and whisk her away on magical adventures.
This is a beautiful book that brings to life the power of imagination and dreams. Readers will be swept away to a magical moonlit island floating in the sky passing fairies, unicorns and giants on the way.
October 29, 2020
A beautiful book about a little girl's strong imagination. Marianne digs for dinosaur bones on the beach, she finds lots of bones to create her dinosaur, Boney. Marianne and Boney go on amazing adventures at night to a land where other children also go with their dinosaurs. Boney collecting Marianne from her window reminded me of the 64 zoo lane books with Georgina the Giraffe.
Links could be made to learning about fossils and rock types. There are also PSHE links with friendship, with Marianne having no friends at the beginning of the book and then making real friends through their imagination connecting them.
I would use the book with KS1 and lower KS2 children as a read-aloud story or to base units of work around.
Links could be made to learning about fossils and rock types. There are also PSHE links with friendship, with Marianne having no friends at the beginning of the book and then making real friends through their imagination connecting them.
I would use the book with KS1 and lower KS2 children as a read-aloud story or to base units of work around.
March 4, 2020
Lovely illustrations.
A little girl finds dinosaur bones, makes a wish for her dinosaur to come to life, and goes to sleep dreaming about the adventure she has with her new dino friend. The story is written in rhyming verse.
A little girl finds dinosaur bones, makes a wish for her dinosaur to come to life, and goes to sleep dreaming about the adventure she has with her new dino friend. The story is written in rhyming verse.
October 29, 2020
Absolutely GORGEOUS cover art, but the rest of this book was just okay. I had a very "btdt" reaction to this, because it's one more book in the burgeoning "dreams are adventures" picture book category. A girl plays make believe at the seashore and digs up a complete set of dinosaur bones (based on the adults' complete non-reaction to this, I think it's clear that she just found some shells and pretended they were dinosaur bones), then has a dream about grand adventures with her dinosaur. Unicorns, fairies, and a magical city in the clouds all make an appearance. This is one of those "kitchen sink" stories - throw it all in there!! The text invites us to wonder if it's just a dream or maybe a real adventure that the kids keep secret from the adults.
The words make an attempt at a nice read-aloud rhythm, but sometimes felt like they were trying too hard.
Every other page, random words (like "tap-tap" and "true") are emphasized. I could find no reason for this, I suppose it's to add visual interest, but I found it distracting.
The dinosaurs in the story all look like stuffed animals, with a noticeable fabric seam down their back. That's cute and I'm not sure if it was intentional or just how Massini draws things with pencil and watercolor.
Children may love this story, but as an adult who has read so many others like it, I found it good-not-great.
This was originally published in Britain, both author & artist are British, and I could tell from the art. It's funny how seaside towns in one place do not look like seaside towns in another place!
The words make an attempt at a nice read-aloud rhythm, but sometimes felt like they were trying too hard.
Then a tap-tap at the window --
and Marianne's awake!
Her wishes have come true,
and there are memories to make.
A bendy neck is offered
for a girl to slide right down,
and magic is now promised
in the sleepy, starlit town.
Every other page, random words (like "tap-tap" and "true") are emphasized. I could find no reason for this, I suppose it's to add visual interest, but I found it distracting.
The dinosaurs in the story all look like stuffed animals, with a noticeable fabric seam down their back. That's cute and I'm not sure if it was intentional or just how Massini draws things with pencil and watercolor.
Children may love this story, but as an adult who has read so many others like it, I found it good-not-great.
This was originally published in Britain, both author & artist are British, and I could tell from the art. It's funny how seaside towns in one place do not look like seaside towns in another place!
December 2, 2019
Marianne lives by the sea in a quirky-shaped lighthouse. Her town seems quiet and peaceable and upon the coastline she dreams and searches for dinosaurs. Through her imaginings she digs up the bones of a dinosaur and names it Bony. At night both Bony and Marianne fly into the heavens to rest upon a cloud where other children from around the world play with their dreams and imaginary companions. Upon her return and awakening, she meets other children who also dream and imagine like she does and they dig and explore together. Suddenly Marianne's friends are as real as she is.
A rhyming picturebook presented in a broad portrait format. Massini's full-page illustrations raise this little poem into the stars. Less concerned with the real location and rather with the magic of imaginative play, this is beautifully presented and a voice and adventure that will delight.
A rhyming picturebook presented in a broad portrait format. Massini's full-page illustrations raise this little poem into the stars. Less concerned with the real location and rather with the magic of imaginative play, this is beautifully presented and a voice and adventure that will delight.
November 24, 2019
This book involves dinosaurs and magic and dreams and adventures. All things children love. It’s about a little girl who discovers the bones of a dinosaur on a beach and then adventure they have. The little girl reminded me of Mary Anning and her discovering fossils on the beach. This book would be a good book to read with children before looking at fossils and the remains of dinosaurs and the story of Mary Anning and the impact she had
December 2, 2019
A lovely evocation of a sandy fishing village - anywhere between Fife and Cornwall - where a girl’s imagination conjures Bony the dinosaur. Kudos for this being a dinosaur book with a young female protagonist, but for me the verse was a little plodding; I wasn’t sure how I would sustain that lilting rhythm if/when I shared it.
August 24, 2020
One of my favorite picture books so far in 2020. Beautifully written and illustrated, Hollie Hughes (author) and Sarah Massini (illus.) have created a modern tale that feels like a timeless classic. With a young girl's determination and a touch of magic, a community of children come together where dreams do come true.
December 20, 2019
With enchanting imagination, fantastical storytelling, and dreamy illustrations, The Girl and the Dinosaur is a spectacular and spellbinding tale! Little readers will be absolutely captivated by this wonderfully whimsical and utterly gorgeous picture book.
January 14, 2020
The art is SO ADORABLE OMG! Also, the story is magically sweet as well :)
January 17, 2020
Captivating illustrations with smooth rhyming flow throughout.
February 11, 2020
Written very well! Beautifully illustrated. And the story grabs you. Perfect, for me and for kiddies, and for adults.
November 16, 2020
Hughes and Massini create a sweet bedtime story, rhyming and reminiscent of Emily Winfield Martin’s Dream Animals and a bit of Santat’s Adventures of Beekle.
Despite the concerns of the fisherfolk, digging up those old bones of a dinosaur does help Marianne find friends. The first friend she makes is the ‘stony boned beastie’ she finds beneath the sand. Marianne names him Bony and promises to visit him on the morrow.
A bedtime wish brings Bony to life much sooner and the giant dinosaur comes to carry her off on nighttime adventures, “their spirits wild and free.” They’ll pass through magical places and see “creatures long forgot” until they arrive at a “magical moonlit island where night and day dreams fly.” This floating cloud island seems to be where the dinosaur-themed dreams go. It looks like an exciting place to be considering the array of activities, dinosaurs and children represented.
The next day, the fisherfolk are pleased to see “children on the beach with little Marianne” at play. But don’t worry that this change means there’ll be no more magical island… Even as the story closes, it invites the reader to keep the island in mind, to maybe visit in their day or night dreams on their own. Hughes and Massini lend their imaginations, the listener can borrow from it how they will.
I enjoy picture books of stories about a character that just might inspire the listener to imagine their own adventure—no direct speech required. Hughes and Massini infuse a bit of the old story telling tradition alongside their ancient and magical creatures while setting the story in contemporary times.
Massini proves capable of crafting any creature or setting of imagination or no. Notice how she weaves together both the mythical and natural creatures of the forest; the artful placement of hooves and flowers and spiky tales… Marianne’s red hair is vivid against the warm golds and cool shadowy blues. Red will alight other objects, but it’s the green of the dinosaur that takes on a dreamy cast. The two creators manage to tell an exciting story that also lulls. I am impressed with how lively the play park is on the magic island—how much it hums with activity, in pattern, color and movement—and isn’t loud that one would never be able to sleep after reading this.
Of course, The Girl and the Dinosaur is a story for any time of day. And it’s a story for any number of shelves—and no doubt, any number years to come.
Recommended for fans of Anna Walker or William Joyce. See also: Molly Idle’s dinosaur series; Willems’ Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs, Lulu and the Brontosaurus by Viorst & Smith.
Despite the concerns of the fisherfolk, digging up those old bones of a dinosaur does help Marianne find friends. The first friend she makes is the ‘stony boned beastie’ she finds beneath the sand. Marianne names him Bony and promises to visit him on the morrow.
A bedtime wish brings Bony to life much sooner and the giant dinosaur comes to carry her off on nighttime adventures, “their spirits wild and free.” They’ll pass through magical places and see “creatures long forgot” until they arrive at a “magical moonlit island where night and day dreams fly.” This floating cloud island seems to be where the dinosaur-themed dreams go. It looks like an exciting place to be considering the array of activities, dinosaurs and children represented.
The next day, the fisherfolk are pleased to see “children on the beach with little Marianne” at play. But don’t worry that this change means there’ll be no more magical island… Even as the story closes, it invites the reader to keep the island in mind, to maybe visit in their day or night dreams on their own. Hughes and Massini lend their imaginations, the listener can borrow from it how they will.
I enjoy picture books of stories about a character that just might inspire the listener to imagine their own adventure—no direct speech required. Hughes and Massini infuse a bit of the old story telling tradition alongside their ancient and magical creatures while setting the story in contemporary times.
Massini proves capable of crafting any creature or setting of imagination or no. Notice how she weaves together both the mythical and natural creatures of the forest; the artful placement of hooves and flowers and spiky tales… Marianne’s red hair is vivid against the warm golds and cool shadowy blues. Red will alight other objects, but it’s the green of the dinosaur that takes on a dreamy cast. The two creators manage to tell an exciting story that also lulls. I am impressed with how lively the play park is on the magic island—how much it hums with activity, in pattern, color and movement—and isn’t loud that one would never be able to sleep after reading this.
Of course, The Girl and the Dinosaur is a story for any time of day. And it’s a story for any number of shelves—and no doubt, any number years to come.
Recommended for fans of Anna Walker or William Joyce. See also: Molly Idle’s dinosaur series; Willems’ Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs, Lulu and the Brontosaurus by Viorst & Smith.
April 30, 2020
Goodreads SBC Summer text
Marianne's patience pays off when she finishes excavating an enormous dinosaur skeleton at her local beach. She goes to sleep that night, desperately wishing that her new friend 'Bony' will come alive and find her whilst she sleeps. When Marianne's wish comes to life (quite literally), a magical night time adventure ensues and an endearing friendship develops between the two adventurers.
This beautifully illustrated adventure story explores the power and wonder of dreams and a child's imagination. Marianne is portrayed as a lonely outcast but when her imagination and a magic flying dinosaur allow her to connect with other children in the dream world, she finds the value in connecting with others. Upon returning to the 'real world', she finds new friends and realises that they are the key to her happiness.
The use of rhyme throughout the story adds to the magical, whimsical feel and the illustrations only add to the experience. I particularly liked the description of the dinosaurs flight using a range of different verbs and onomatopoeic vocabulary. This book could work just as well when teaching poetry as it does for a short adventure story.
The nature of the story reminded me strongly of 'The Snowman' but it was nice that the author chose a girl rather than a boy as the main character. This will hopefully encourage more young girls to read adventure stories like this.
Marianne's patience pays off when she finishes excavating an enormous dinosaur skeleton at her local beach. She goes to sleep that night, desperately wishing that her new friend 'Bony' will come alive and find her whilst she sleeps. When Marianne's wish comes to life (quite literally), a magical night time adventure ensues and an endearing friendship develops between the two adventurers.
This beautifully illustrated adventure story explores the power and wonder of dreams and a child's imagination. Marianne is portrayed as a lonely outcast but when her imagination and a magic flying dinosaur allow her to connect with other children in the dream world, she finds the value in connecting with others. Upon returning to the 'real world', she finds new friends and realises that they are the key to her happiness.
The use of rhyme throughout the story adds to the magical, whimsical feel and the illustrations only add to the experience. I particularly liked the description of the dinosaurs flight using a range of different verbs and onomatopoeic vocabulary. This book could work just as well when teaching poetry as it does for a short adventure story.
The nature of the story reminded me strongly of 'The Snowman' but it was nice that the author chose a girl rather than a boy as the main character. This will hopefully encourage more young girls to read adventure stories like this.
September 30, 2020
My littlest is in love with dinosaurs, so I always love finding books on the topic that will spur on her imagination. In rhyming text, this book begins with a young girl named Marianne. She’s digging up dinosaur bones until she has enough to make an entire dinosaur! When she goes to sleep that night, she makes a wish that her bony dinosaur will come to life. And he DOES! In her dreams, of course. There are adventures and all sorts of magical elements they discover in their dreams. But the book ends the same way it began — back on the beach, with many children digging for more dinosaur bones. Perhaps they’ll each meet their dinosaurs when they go to bed, too. The artwork in this book was created with watercolor, pencil, printed pattern collage, and Photoshop.
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
September 10, 2020
An imaginary tale of a girl who wishes upon the stars and gets her wish fulfilled. A wonderful dream/adventure with the dinosaur she dug up on the beach. It is a night to remember and I just loved going along on the adventure these two had. They visit wonderful worlds and end up at a space I just would have loved to visit as a kid. I am so glad for the little girl at the end, that really made me smile!
December 28, 2024
Marianne is digging for dinosaur bones, and when she finds every last piece, she names him Bony and dreams of going on adventures with him.
Dinosaurs and magical realism go together very well in this story. The illustrations are charming, and while I can't say I love dream sequences, this one is handled well. The poetic lines are just slightly choppy at times, but the overall effect is pleasant. This would be a lovely bedtime read.
Dinosaurs and magical realism go together very well in this story. The illustrations are charming, and while I can't say I love dream sequences, this one is handled well. The poetic lines are just slightly choppy at times, but the overall effect is pleasant. This would be a lovely bedtime read.
February 1, 2026
Disappointing rehash of the “fantasy-dream which might be real” trope - like in Briggs’ classic The Snowman - and when your kid says “huh?! you don’t find dinosaur bones in the sand!” you know the book has already lost any charm in might have had.
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