Customer Reviews

Dinosaur Train

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Thursday was a day much like any other for Jesse. Trains and dinosaurs. Dinosaurs and trains. Just before bed, Jesse drew one last picture. Suddenly there was a loud noise and the whole house began to shake..." Hop aboard! From the dining car, to the sky window, to the tunnel up ahead and more, join Jesse and his prehistoric friends for the ride of a lifetime on the dinosaur train..... John Steven Gurney really captures the essence of young dinosaur and train lovers in this endearing little picture book. His simple text is kept to a minimum, as he lets his vibrant and evocative artwork tell the story. Each dazzling two-page spread engages, and is filled with bold color, playful details, and marvelous facial expressions, that will captivate little ones, and send imaginations soaring. Perfect for preschoolers, Dinosaur Train is a read-aloud crowd pleaser, and is sure to become an instant favorite at your house.

Dinosaur Train is absolutely wonderful. What a perfect combination - trains and dinosaurs. The bright, bold illustrations capture your attention and draw you into the story. The illustrations are so creative and fun. Any child will love this book, especially those who love trains and dinosaurs!

The text of Dinosaur Train starts out promisingly enough; it is something to the effect of, "Thursday was a day much like any other for Jesse. Trains and dinosaurs. Dinosaurs and trains." But it goes downhill a bit from there, like the author created these beautiful images and then decided to add notes at the last minute. Sometimes a speaker is identified by the text, sometimes not; there's one point where some confusion could be the result. I almost think the story would stand better without any words than with the ones that are there. Jesse is the only character with any development to speak of (and I'm not sure there's even much there); removing the text would give us an opportunity to look more closely at other characters. Better text might actually add a plot (the plot, at this point, is basically that Jesse gets on a train, the train tips over, and Jesse tells the dinosaurs how to right the train).
The combination of dinosaurs and trains is irresistible, and I love the details in Jesse's toys and the way clothes somehow look perfectly natural on the dinosaurs. But the text actually makes Jesse seem too bossy to me, and it's amazing that such vibrant dinosaurs can be so submissive.
This concept is as breathtaking as that of the Polar Express, and my 2 1/2-year-old has had us read this book to him about a gazillion times, so he clearly appreciates it. It's just one of those that I don't like reading aloud again and again because the story doesn't do much for me.

excellent combonation about trains and dinosaurs and imagination. this is an excellent book about a little boy, jesse, who loves trains and dinosaurs so much. one night, right before bed, his imagination takes him on a train ride with dinosaurs. it's jesse's dream come true!! excellent book for a train or dinosaur lover of all ages.

Length:: 1:18 Mins

Please check out the trailer for my picture book Dinosaur Train.
thanks
JSG

As other reviewers have stated, the text is very short. It does not work well as a read-aloud bedtime story because the whole point of the book is the pictures. You have to look at the pictures, spending as much time as the child wants on the pictures. It's then you can notice all the details and the pure fun of this book. My 2-year-old loves it, my 6-year-old loves it, my 5-year-old gets bored with it very quickly.

If your younger child likes trains and dinosaurs and loves to spend time just looking at books without needing a plot, then buy this book. If you're not sure, I'd recommend checking it out first to see if it's a keeper for your family.

My boys love dinosaurs and trains so they love this book. The pictures are super. I don't think its very educational. But its fun, and we all need that!

excellent combonation about trains and dinosaurs and imagination. this is an excellent book about a little boy, jesse, who loves trains and dinosaurs so much. one night, right before bed, his imagination takes him on a train ride with dinosaurs. it's jesse's dream come true!! excellent book for a train or dinosaur lover of all ages.

This book has beautiful pictures! My 2 year old son loves trains and what boy doesn't love dinos? The perfect combo. My boy can read the book to me without missing a beat! I have had to tape pages back in in the paperback book we have because we have read it so many times! A favorite in our house!

My 2 year old son loves this book! We borrowed it one day from the library and I have to get one of his own, because he doesn't want to give the library book back. It is a little short for bedtime reading, so I read it twice and he loves it. (...) I would recommend this book very highly to other parents.