The value of children’s books, a medium that provides parents with a crucial tool for introducing kids to a myriad of topics, cannot be overstated. But where many authors choose to infuse their illustrated stories with thought-provoking life lessons, there’s something to be said for a book where the sole purpose is to inspire laughter and joy. In the tradition of Shel Silverstein and Dr. Seuss, Tony Philips’ WHAT’S WRONG WITH A PET DINOSAUR? is a timeless collection of humor-laced poetry aimed at entertaining young readers and maybe even inspiring a laugh (or three).
Following a heartfelt dedication, WHAT’S WRONG WITH A PET DINOSAUR? opens with ‘I Want the Very Best Birthday Party,’ a little girl’s not-so-tongue-in-cheek laundry list of birthday party expectations complete with a satisfying punch-line. From there, Philips’ tales take on an increasingly ridiculous, far-fetched tone. Be it a cheeky plea for a reprieve from practice (Piano Practice), an ode to a mysterious waterfowl (Captain Cluck, the Floating Duck), or a simple slice of deductive reasoning (Giant Footprint), the only unifying theme to Philips’ work is the utter lack of a theme, save for the subtle nose-scrunching humor laced throughout.
Under the best of circumstances, poetry can be a tricky medium for authors, especially when writing for children, but Philips instills a sense of wonder and humor into each and every stanza. Many of these poems adopt an almost musical cadence when read aloud, and Philips utilizes a myriad of rhyme schemes throughout, ensuring that readers will find something new with every flip of the page. Of course, as important as the words may be, it’s the pictures that ultimately provide readers with their first impression of a book. In that regard, Philips pairs his prose with a series of stylized drawings (presented in a classic black & white format) that succeed in illustrating the characters and their zany adventures while never distracting from the stories themselves.
And therein lies the brilliance to this collection. Rather than attempt to modernize his approach, Philips’ widely adheres to a time-honored template. No different than that feisty Lorax or that hat-loving cat, you’ll find no mention of ‘screens’ or ‘vids’ or any other contemporary, soon-to-be-dated jargon here, a choice that only adds to the incredibly high age-eschewing entertainment factor. Long after the iPhone 27 has rendered whatever model is currently in your pocket obsolete, WHAT’S WRONG WITH A PET DINOSAUR? will still be sitting on a bookshelf somewhere, lying in wait for yet another unsuspecting pair of eyes in search of a laugh. If all of this gushing hasn’t already cemented the point, the best way to sum up this collection is with this: Tony Philips has penned and drawn an instant classic. In fact, it’s difficult to believe that this is the Chicago-based author’s first foray into children’s lit, but here’s hoping that this is the first of many books to come.
Funny, quirky, and undeniably charming, WHAT’S WRONG WITH A PET DINOSAUR? is the rare example of a book that can follow a child through all the formative stages of their reading development, from toddler bedtime to elementary reading circles.
~James Weiskittel for IndieReader