To my extreme pleasure, I found that it is just as fantastic inside as it is out.
Richard Fairgray introduces us to Wanda, and Wanda has a conundrum. Her Grandpa is a dinosaur, yet no one else seems to have noticed this. Her weird sister, her friend, and even her Mum are all in denial, so Wanda decides that given the evidence (green skin, big tail, palaeontologists always following his footsteps etc), she will simply just ask Grandpa herself.
Grandpa agrees that yes, of course he is a dinosaur (in fact, he was worried that no one had seemed to notice!) and then Grandpa and Wanda carry on with their day. One of the most appealing things about this book, is the relationship shown between Wanda and Grandpa. They walk, talk, read, ride a roller coaster and visit a fair together, and all the while there is a great sense of calm, comfort, reliability and love that simply radiates out from the illustrations.
The humour and wit of the story are perfectly captured in the illustrations by Terry Jones, with many wonderful quirky details to explore. The book is beautifully produced, each illustration framed with white space and the text placed neatly underneath the frame, reinforcing the 60's feel that flows through the artwork.
This is a book that will capture the heart and tickle the funny bone of adult readers just as much as their child audience and would make an excellent cheeky gift for Grandpa on Father's day.
Title: My Grandpa is a Dinosaur
Author: Richard Fairgray
Illustrator: Terry Jones
Publisher: Penguin Random House, $16.99
Publication Date: 2 May 2016
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780143507192
For ages: 4-7
Type: Picture Book
