A review by tashrow
Lulu and the Brontosaurus by Judith Viorst, Lane Smith

4.0

Lulu was a pain, a real pain. She demanded that her parents give her everything she wanted. And if they didn’t? Then she threw a fit, screaming, throwing herself on the floor and kicking her feet. Until her parents agreed to give her exactly what she wanted. But that all changed when Lulu demanded a brontosaurus for a pet for her birthday. Her parents tried to explain that a brontosaurus was huge and wild and not suitable, but Lulu threw a tantrum. However, this time it did not work. So Lulu set off on her own to find herself a brontosaurus. As she entered the forest, she sang herself a song about getting a brontosaurus for a pet. Going deeper into the forest, she encountered some wild animals but even they could not scare her from her mission. Eventually, Lulu does find a brontosaurus deep in the forest, but will he be the ideal pet she has been expecting?

A great beginning chapter book, young readers will enjoy the over-the-top humor that will keep them laughing. The short chapters will also help keep reluctant readers going as will the large number of black-and-white illustrations from the master Lane Smith. The illustrations hearken back to Syd Hoff’s Danny and the Dinosaur with the smiling brontosaurus, but are edgier as well with great perspectives.

Viorst has obviously had fun playing with the book format here. She opens the book saying that of course she knows that humans and dinosaurs have never existed at the same time! It sets the tone perfectly for the story itself which is filled with humor throughout. Various fonts are used throughout the book, some for singing, others for effect in reading. Later in the book, the chapters are numbered by the half chapter just for fun and to laugh about the very short chapters of the book. And finally, the book ends with different endings for the reader to choose from.

A winning early chapter book, this has the dinosaur appeal combined with great illustrations and clever writing. Appropriate for ages 5-7.