Here Comes Destructosaurus! by Aaron Reynolds
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This story veered dangerously close to a couple kid book tropes that I really hate. But I’m happy to report that both were avoided!
Kid Book Trope 1: IT WAS ALL IMAGINATION!
Yes, there’s no Destructosaurus. It’s just a kid IMAGINING he’s Destructosaurus. Ugh. Gimme a break. You know what’s a lot cooler than being tricked by a book? A giant Destructosaurus wrecking the city.
Kid Book Trope 2: Destructosaurus is shamed into doing the right thing.
I hate that one too. After wrecking the city, some books would show Destructosaurs putting things back in order. Here? No way. He walks off into the water while someone on a bullhorn demands that he comes back to clean up. Does he come back? No. Does he even seem to notice? NO!
If you like those tropes, more power to you, and there are plenty of books I’m sure you’ll find pleasing. If you’re like me and you don’t care for that stuff, then give the ol’ Destructosaurus a gander.