When Dinosaurs Came With Everything

By Elise Broach

Illustrated by David Small

Most enjoyed by Preschoolers through 3rd grade

The title of this book is a play on words. It sounds like dinosaurs came with everything they (or their owners) could possible want - food, swimming pools, toys to play with. But as the reader finds out quickly, that's not quite what 'came with everything' means.

Friday is errand day and our narrator is not thrilled about helping mom with these boring chores. But the trip becomes more interesting with a stop at the bakery. After buying a dozen doughnuts, the baker is happy to let Mom know that a dinosaur comes free with every purchase. Mom thinks the baker means a toy dinosaur but the boy is delighted when the baker brings out a real triceratops! Now this is the toy-with-meal concept taken to it's highest level. Not only do the doughnuts come with a dinosaur, a visit to the doctor and a trip to the barber result in two more new pets. Walking down the street is a fun experience thanks to all the kids walking with their free dinosaurs (trailing not-so-happy moms behind them). Our narrator pleads with Mom to let him bring his dinosaur home and Mom soon finds out that dinosaurs as pets come in handy.

Every kid who reads this book is going to wish they could live in this boy's shoes!