A poetry minded dinosaur is on a quest to write the first great poem … ever! But he pauses for a little froggy-flavored lunch. However, when said frog offers a few poetic pointers, our Dino Poet decides that lunch can wait.
A poetry minded dinosaur is on a quest to write the first great poem … ever! But he pauses for a little froggy-flavored lunch. However, when said frog offers a few poetic pointers, our Dino Poet decides that lunch can wait.
That big yellowish dinosaur over there is a Coelophysis. (For those interested that’s pronounced “see-loaf-ices.”)
However, if he were to give himself a name it would be a lot easier to say: Dino Poet. Because for this literate lizard, poetry is life.
While all the other dinos are growling and stomping about, this guy is off by himself working on words and verse and rhyme. Afer all, Dino Poet is determined to write the first great poem … ever!
That, however, isn’t as easy as it sounds. You see, all those words, verses and rhymes just refuse to cooperate. Not only that, but his rather sizable dino stomach keeps rumbling. So, it’s time to compose a poem about lunch.
“I think that I should like to eat … some of this fine froggy meat!” the poet rumbles.
Of course, the little green frog that the dino has his hungry eyes focused on isn’t a great fan of that sharp-toothed poem. Or the author’s drooling intensions, for that matter.
So this little green and warty frog ribbits out a suggestion: a compromise. If the dino puts off lunch, froggy will teach him about the world of poetry. He’ll teach dino how to express his feelings. (Beside the hungry bit.) Together, they’ll learn about imagery and style. They’ll even explore different types of poems. (When they’re not running from a huge T. rex, that is.)
It’s soon a relationship born in volcanic, roaring and stomping, ripping and tearing, poetry heaven.
I mean, little froggy isn’t necessarily that great at writing poems himself. But he’s great at using words. (You kinda have to be when you’re a tiny frog in a dino world.)
So, just maybe, between the two of these new friends, they can come up with something epic! And discover a whole lot about poetry along the way.
It could happen!
None.
The two central characters share a common belief in the artistry of poetry: Not only can it express thoughts and feelings that aren’t always easy to articulate, but poetry gives those emotions voice in creative, enjoyable ways. And this book attempts to teach kid readers about that simple joy.
The two protagonists, Dino Poet and frog, are really the only individuals we spend any time with in this graphic novel. All the other dinosaurs are simply predators (though there is one that appreciates poetry).
If you look at frog and Dino Poet through an analogous lens, though, you could see them as two very different people who become unlikely friends because of their mutual love of poetry.
There is a bit of peril here in the form of hungry and battling dinosaurs. But all of that is also lessened by the book’s pleasant graphic styling and generally playful approach to its topic.
There is a bit of dino potty humor in the mix (one poem).
None.
Have you ever tried writing poetry? What makes it seem so hard? Did this graphic novel spark any new ideas for you? Did it help you think about poetry in a new creative way?
Why do you think mankind created poetry in the first place? Can words mean different things depending on how you use them? Is there an advantage to writing out your feelings and thoughts poetically?
Tom Angleberger’s graphic novel is colorfully fun, and it helps young readers think about the creative joys of writing poetry. The only potential drawbacks in Dino Poet would be the story’s inclusion of a little dino poo poetry and some light dinosaur peril.
You can request a review of a title you can’t find at [email protected].
Book reviews cover the content, themes and worldviews of fiction books, not necessarily their literary merit, and equip parents to decide whether a book is appropriate for their children. The inclusion of a book’s review does not constitute an endorsement by Focus on the Family.
After spending more than two decades touring, directing, writing and producing for Christian theater and radio (most recently for Adventures in Odyssey, which he still contributes to), Bob joined the Plugged In staff to help us focus more heavily on video games. He is also one of our primary movie reviewers.
Our weekly newsletter will keep you in the loop on the biggest things happening in entertainment and technology. Sign up today, and we’ll send you a chapter from the new Plugged In book, Becoming a Screen-Savvy Family, that focuses on how to implement a “screentime reset” in your family!
