Lulu and the Brontosaurus (Junior Library Guild Selection (Atheneum)) [Hardcover]

Judith Viorst (Author), Lane Smith (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: September 14, 2010 | Age Range: 6 and up | Series: Junior Library Guild Selection (Atheneum) | Lexile Measure: 910L (What's this?)

It's Lulu's birthday and she's decided she'd like a pet brontosaurus as a present. When Lulu's parents tell her that's not possible, Lulu gets very upset. She does not like it when things don't go her way. So she takes matters into her own hands and storms off into the forest to find herself a new pet, all the way singing:

I'm gonna, I'm gonna, I'm gonna, gonna, get

a bronto-bronto-bronto-bronto-saurus for a pet!

In the forest Lulu encounters a number of animals; a snake, a tiger, a bear, all of whom don't particularly impress her. And then she finds him...a beautiful, long-necked, gentle, graceful brontosaurus. And he completely agrees with Lulu that having a pet would be a wonderful thing, indeed! Lulu thinks she's gotten her birthday wish at last. Until she realizes that Mr. Brontosaurus thinks that she would make an ideal pet for him!

How will Lulu ever get out of this sticky situation without throwing a fit (Mr. B does not respond well to those), or using force (Mr. B is much to tall to bonk on the head with her suitcase), or smushing her pickle sandwich?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 1-4–Viorst and Smith introduce a spoiled young lady who wants a brontosaurus for her birthday. With her lightbulb-shattering screeches, Lulu is used to getting her way, but her parents refuse this request. After four days of screaming, she tells her parents, "foo on you," packs a small suitcase, and sets off into the forest. After getting the best of a snake, tiger, and bear, she meets a brontosaurus. He, however, decides that she will be his perfect pet. While this story follows a familiar cautionary-tale story line, Lulu is both determined and surprisingly resourceful (her small suitcase contains pickle sandwiches and an astonishing amount of stuff). Viorst's narrative is appropriately arch: "since I'm the person writing this story, I get to choose what I write." There's plenty of child-friendly humor, and Smith's droll, exaggerated pencil drawings on pastel paper deftly add to the fun. The pinheaded brontosaurus is irresistible and reminiscent of Syd Hoff's beloved dinosaur from the "Danny and the Dinosaur" series (HarperCollins). This inventive, lighthearted fantasy should be a solid hit with young readers looking for a lively first chapter book.Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA
© Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

From Booklist

You can tell right off Lulu is a brat, not just because of Viorst’s initial description (“She was a pain—a very big pain—in the butt”) but also because of Smith’s opening illustration of a huge-headed, bob-haired girl with her arms defiantly crossed. Lulu is demanding a brontosaurus for her birthday, and after a 13-day standoff, she marches into the woods and finds one for herself. There’s only one problem: the brontosaurus wants Lulu as his pet. It’s a setup ripe for she-deserves-it guffaws, and Smith especially has a field day, using his geometric, cutesy pencil drawings to imagine Lulu begging like a dog with a stick in her mouth. The swift shifts in plot make the story feel less than surefooted, but that’s also part of its charm; Viorst sprinkles the tale with daffy authorial intrusions, from asides (“Okay, so snakes don’t talk. But in my story, they do”) to three different ending options. The way Lulu’s behavior models that of a new pet—shouting, whining, fleeing—is quite clever, and perceptive kids will enjoy being in on the joke. Grades 1-4. --Daniel Kraus

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers; 1 edition (September 14, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416999612
• ISBN-13: 978-1416999614
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #163,910 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Judith Viorst has written many books for children, including the classics Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day and its sequels, and If I Were in Charge of the World and Other Stories. She is also the author of Just in Case, illustrated by Diana Cain Bluthenthal. She lives with her husband, Milton, in Washington D.C.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A great read for kids 4+ October 1, 2010

By Nelaine Sanchez VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Lulu wants nothing other than a pet brontosaurus for her birthday. When her parents tell her that she won't be getting one. She gets very upset. She throws a fit, screams, yells, pounds the ground - does anything and everything for her parents to relent and get her her pet brontosaurus. But her parents are having none of it. They refuse to get her what she wants. Well Lulu is having none of that. She feels that if her parents won't bring her a pet brontosaurus then she'll just have to get her own pet brontosaurus. So she sets off on an adventure into the forest to find herself her new pet, all the way signing:

I'm gonna, I'm gonna, I'm gonna, gonna, get
a bronto-bronto-bronto-bronto-saurus for a pet!

In the forest Lulu comes across a number of animals: a snake, a tiger, a bear but none of them particularly impress her. Until she finally finds him... her brontosaurus. But she soon realizes that Mr. Brontosaurus has his own plans... he thinks she'll make the perfect pet for him! What is Lulu to do?

This is the perfect read-aloud for children 4 and up. With Ms. Viorst's witty storytelling and Lane Smith's charming illustrations you have a pleasant and clever story. I thought Ms. Viorst's attitude shone perfectly throughout Lulu's pages - on more than one occasion saying that since it's her story, it is more than perfect for a Brontosaurus to be living in the forest. Originally I read this for myself and then I read it to my children and I can't begin to describe the joy and wonder in their little faces as I read this to them. Not only is it a funny and clever story but it is also a story with a good moral. It teaches children that you can't always have what you want but especially to listen to your parents. What I truly loved was that it is told simply and enjoyably enough to where my 4year old understood its message. I love that! The best part of the book though - the alternate endings. I love that we got various endings to choose from - because yes, it's Ms. Viorst's book and she can do that if she wants. :)

This was a very cute story that I recommend for parents to read to their children - or, if you're like me, for adults who enjoy picture books. A sweet tale, with a great moral and some fabulous illustrations.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The best read-aloud in years - for kids AND parents August 10, 2011

By Surprised Target Shopper

Format:Hardcover

It blows my mind that this book doesn't have more reviews; I've bought three copies already -- after seeing how much my kids love it, we've been giving it at nearly every birthday party. In addition to a fabulous story, catchy song (you'll be singing it yourself), and great message, the meta-humour is entertaining even for parents burnt out on children's books. This is the one you'll hope your kids pick night after night.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A GREAT READ ALOUD June 11, 2011

By Quato

Format:Hardcover

I am a school librarian for grades K - 4. I read this book to all of my classes. It was wonderfully suited for reading aloud. The fourth graders loved it just as much as the kindergarteners....they all loved chanting the "Brontosaurus song" and delighted in all of Lulu"s outrageous behaviors. This book has to be the best book we obtained for our library this year.