Monday 12 May 2014

The Dinosaur that Pooped a Planet by Tom Fletcher, Dougie Poynter and Garry Parsons (Red Fox Picture Books)


The Dinosaur that Pooped a Planet

Written by Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter

Illustrated by Garry Parsons

Published by Red Fox Picture Books

So far we've been immune to the scatological charms of this well known dinosaur and his equally well known creators. Tom and Dougie from McFly created a poop-fuelled yuletide classic in "The Dinosaur that Pooped Christmas" (Which we still haven't read) but we're catching up with them as they head into space. Along with talented illustrator Garry Parsons, they find out what happens when young Danny get up to mischief when they visit the science museum. They hijack a rocket and soon they're jetting off into the inky blackness of space! (Charlotte kept pointing out how naughty Danny and Dinosaur were for stealing exhibits from the museum and misusing them. I did point out that it's a 'boy' thing but she was unconvinced).

In their haste to explore outer space, Danny and Dinosaur forget their lunches - and soon Dinosaur's tummy is rumbling. With nothing around to eat, Dinosaur picks the nearest thing to satisfy his humungous appetite - the spaceship! Eeek!

Can Danny and Dino make it back home for tea? Or will Dino's huge appetite and equally huge bottom mean serious trouble for the milky way?

Charlotte lapped this book up and I'd imagine a huge amount of kids her age would. There's just something about it that really switches me off. Don't get me wrong, I think Tom, Dougie and Garry are fantastic talented folk but I just couldn't really get past the book's core draw. Dino poo.

Having only read this book, I can't comment on the more festive version - and a quick glance at Amazon suggests that there are more dino-poop-fests on the way (The Dinosaur that Pooped the Past is on its way in September 2014). As ever with books we disagree on though, the sound of Charlotte snorting with laughter at any book (even if I don't like it) is one of the best sounds in the world, so I'm willing to read it with her whenever she asks.

Charlotte's best bit: Martian cats (with extremely groovy hats!)

Daddy's Favourite bit: Some nice Seuss-ian rhyming going on but I had little stomach for the brown stuff later in the book! Ew!

(Kindly sent to us for review by Red Fox Picture Books