I could not finish Everything Awesome about Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Beasts! by Mike Lowery not because it was bad, but because it was awesome and I had to go back to work and not sit and read. Also, (long story, please get comfy) this was part of a set of books we received that were free from an online event at work. I decided to do the nice thing and give them to some people who had some other free swag coming to them. Therefore, I had to put the books in the bags and get them to the holding shelf for pickup. It was sad moment and I would have liked to put a note in saying, “If you do not think you can give this book a proper home, I will be happy to adopt it for you.”
But, I didn’t. And I hope that whomever this book finally ends up with, will love it as much as I was.
Instead of reading all of it, I skimmed a few pages of Lowery’s gem of a non-fiction book. Each page has facts and jokes about dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures (like the title says). It talks about how T-Rex most likely (as it was a scavenger) would not stand over its kill and make a mighty roar. (Okay disappointing, but I’m okay with that. No need to spread the word there’s free food, right?) But more likely it honked like a goose (little less okay now). Only one or two pages for each different animals’ descriptions, name and pronunciation guide is included. And the jokes are perfect dad jokes (or little kids jokes, which in my book are really the same thing): “What is a dinosaurs least favorite reindeer?” (Answer at end of review).
The illustrations on the other hand might be the only real issue I have with the book. They are cartoon sketches that can break the fourth wall by directly talking to the reader (this tends to be commentary like when dinosaur says that they were not a “terrible lizard” but actually nice and the other dinosaur commenting, “Well you did eat my brother”). Limited colors and details along with busy pages (bit of a contradiction, I know but trust me, it happened) can make it hard to sort through everything. However, if you have a child who likes dinosaurs or wants to learn more, but is at an introduction level, it can work. It might be something that you the parent/adult and child can explore together. Best ages I would say would be stronger 4 to 9-year-olds.
And the answer is: Comet.