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Dad and the Dinosaur

Author Gennifer Choldenko
Illustrated by Dan Santat
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Hardcover
$18.99 US
Penguin Young Readers | G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
8.88"W x 11.25"H x 0.34"D  
On sale Mar 28, 2017 | 40 Pages | 9780399243530
Grades K-3
Reading Level: Lexile AD560L
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A heartwarming father-son story about bravery and facing fears.

Nicholas was afraid of the dark outside his door, the bushes where the giant bugs live, and the underside of manhole covers.
 
His dad was not afraid of anything.
 
Nicholas wants to be as brave as his dad, but he needs help. That’s why he needs a dinosaur. After all, dinosaurs like the dark, bugs are nothing to them, and they eat manhole covers for lunch (and everything under them for dinner).
 
With his toy dinosaur, Nicholas can scale tall walls, swim in deep water, even score a goal against the huge goalie everyone calls Gorilla. But when the dinosaur goes missing, everything is scary again.
 
Luckily, his dad knows that even the bravest people can get scared, and it’s okay to ask for help facing your fears. It’s just guy stuff.

A family classic in the making from the dream team of Newbery Honor-winner Gennifer Choldenko and Caldecott Medal-winner Dan Santat.

★ "[Choldenko's] knowing, understated storytelling and Santat’s warm, expressive spreads give full credence to the fears that weigh on kids, as well as the presences—both real and imagined—that can help alleviate them."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
© Patricia Leeds
Gennifer Choldenko was the youngest in a family of four kids, where her nickname was “Snot-Nose.” Her quirky sense of humor made its debut at the dinner table when Gennifer was a very little kid. She is the author of seven children’s books, including Notes from a Liar and Her Dog, a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year; If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period; and Al Capone Shines My Shoes. View titles by Gennifer Choldenko
Dan Santat is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of over a hundred books. His picture book The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend received the Caldecott Medal. He also illustrated The Blur, Lift, and Drawn Together, both written by Minh Lê, which received critical acclaim. Dan is also the creator of the Disney animated hit The Replacements. He lives in Southern California with his family. View titles by Dan Santat
★ "[Choldenko's] knowing, understated storytelling and Santat’s warm, expressive spreads give full credence to the fears that weigh on kids, as well as the presences—both real and imagined—that can help alleviate them."—Kirkus, starred review

★ "Intertwined with the themes of fear and bravery is a strong father-son relationship [. . . .] Teachers, librarians, and parents will find the book provides an opening for discussion about fears, security, and how their dads have loved and helped them."—School Library Connection, starred review

"Choldenko excels in creating believable characters whose empathy and emotional quotients match their other successes. . . This works as a story about bravery, as well as a paean to dads." —Booklist

"A winning book sure to attract and delight a wide audience. . . This is a modern story reminiscent of Dumbo and his 'magic' feather that readers will enjoy as they explore the ideas of bravery, ability, and what lies inside each of us. " —School Library Journal

"With the rediscovery of Nick's dino, his bravery returns as well, only this time, Nick isn't the only one who knows his secret, and he knows deep down that all guys are afraid sometimes [. . . .] Dads get it: being brave takes work . . . and a dinosaur." —Publishers Weekly

"[T]he boy-friendliness of Choldenko’s text is matched by Santat’s robust paintings that give the tiny toy dinosaur life—and heft!—as he appears super-dino-style on the scene as needed. And while Dad is a reliable, strong presence, what we don’t see is Dad’s face (except for his beard), allowing young readers to imagine whatever father figure they need in his features."—Horn Book Reviews

About

A heartwarming father-son story about bravery and facing fears.

Nicholas was afraid of the dark outside his door, the bushes where the giant bugs live, and the underside of manhole covers.
 
His dad was not afraid of anything.
 
Nicholas wants to be as brave as his dad, but he needs help. That’s why he needs a dinosaur. After all, dinosaurs like the dark, bugs are nothing to them, and they eat manhole covers for lunch (and everything under them for dinner).
 
With his toy dinosaur, Nicholas can scale tall walls, swim in deep water, even score a goal against the huge goalie everyone calls Gorilla. But when the dinosaur goes missing, everything is scary again.
 
Luckily, his dad knows that even the bravest people can get scared, and it’s okay to ask for help facing your fears. It’s just guy stuff.

A family classic in the making from the dream team of Newbery Honor-winner Gennifer Choldenko and Caldecott Medal-winner Dan Santat.

★ "[Choldenko's] knowing, understated storytelling and Santat’s warm, expressive spreads give full credence to the fears that weigh on kids, as well as the presences—both real and imagined—that can help alleviate them."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Author

© Patricia Leeds
Gennifer Choldenko was the youngest in a family of four kids, where her nickname was “Snot-Nose.” Her quirky sense of humor made its debut at the dinner table when Gennifer was a very little kid. She is the author of seven children’s books, including Notes from a Liar and Her Dog, a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year; If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period; and Al Capone Shines My Shoes. View titles by Gennifer Choldenko
Dan Santat is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of over a hundred books. His picture book The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend received the Caldecott Medal. He also illustrated The Blur, Lift, and Drawn Together, both written by Minh Lê, which received critical acclaim. Dan is also the creator of the Disney animated hit The Replacements. He lives in Southern California with his family. View titles by Dan Santat

Praise

★ "[Choldenko's] knowing, understated storytelling and Santat’s warm, expressive spreads give full credence to the fears that weigh on kids, as well as the presences—both real and imagined—that can help alleviate them."—Kirkus, starred review

★ "Intertwined with the themes of fear and bravery is a strong father-son relationship [. . . .] Teachers, librarians, and parents will find the book provides an opening for discussion about fears, security, and how their dads have loved and helped them."—School Library Connection, starred review

"Choldenko excels in creating believable characters whose empathy and emotional quotients match their other successes. . . This works as a story about bravery, as well as a paean to dads." —Booklist

"A winning book sure to attract and delight a wide audience. . . This is a modern story reminiscent of Dumbo and his 'magic' feather that readers will enjoy as they explore the ideas of bravery, ability, and what lies inside each of us. " —School Library Journal

"With the rediscovery of Nick's dino, his bravery returns as well, only this time, Nick isn't the only one who knows his secret, and he knows deep down that all guys are afraid sometimes [. . . .] Dads get it: being brave takes work . . . and a dinosaur." —Publishers Weekly

"[T]he boy-friendliness of Choldenko’s text is matched by Santat’s robust paintings that give the tiny toy dinosaur life—and heft!—as he appears super-dino-style on the scene as needed. And while Dad is a reliable, strong presence, what we don’t see is Dad’s face (except for his beard), allowing young readers to imagine whatever father figure they need in his features."—Horn Book Reviews

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