Dinotrux
by: Chris Gall, author/illustrator
Published by: Little Brown Books
Buy From Amazon.com
Reviewed by Muhammed Hassanali
Dinosaurs are popular with young children and have been used to market other products (curtains, backpacks, lunchboxes, bedsheets, and a whole host of other items). Trucks are also popular – especially with boys. Combining two popular products does not necessarily result in a hit.
In this case, dinosaurs and trucks are physically combined both in the illustrations and in their names, rendering mechanical monstrosities like Firesaurus, Rollodon, Blacktopadon, Dumploducus, Craneosauraus, Garbageadon, Tyrannosaurus Trux, and Deliveradons (that have a striking resemblance to UPS trucks). In addition to the names, the illustrations show how reptilian and industrial qualities are creatively combined.
The three primary cave people who appear in the past are recast as contemporary human beings in the final pages of the book. Interestingly, they also strike the same pose as their prehistoric ancestors did on the first page of the book. Along the same theme, the end pages show “evolved” trucks on one side and their dinotrux counterparts on the other.
A zany sense of humor permeates the entire book. The last page depicts a museum relic that may still have some life in it (or at least some energy) as it illuminates the area for a member of the cleaning crew. The illustration description reads “The text was set in Cafeteria Black, and the display type is hand-lettered. That artwork for this book was created using bearskins and stone knives.” Underneath is a caveman carving the logo on the face of a rock.
The story is not long or complex, the text is rhythmic and the sentences are short. Illustrations take both pages, are rendered in strong black lines with bold fiery colors, brim with energy, and convey the fast-pace and dangerous life in the prehistoric world. In short, it is an excellent book for young readers – especially those who enjoy trucks and dinosaurs.
NOTE: DreamWorks acquires movie rights to Dinotrux, and the book is currently in development as a 3D animated feature film!
Armchair Interviews agrees this is a fun book:
Author’s Web site: http://www.ChrisGall.com
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