T Is for Terrible [Hardcover]

Peter McCarty (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up

I am a dinosaur, otherwise known as a terrible lizard.
I do not know why I am so terrible.

From a Caldecott Medal honoree comes the story of an endearing Tyrannosaurus rex who wonders why he can't be a vegetarian

Tyrannosaurus rex is a terrible dinosaur; of this, everyone is certain. But is this dinosaur really so terrible? He IS very big and very hungry. True, he might even eat his neighbors for lunch. But from his point of view, he can't help it. After all, he's not a vegetarian . . .

T Is for Terrible is the story of an introspective dinosaur. With droll humor in both the text and illustrations, Peter McCarty shows us why dinosaurs are the obsession of children everywhere. His not so terrible. T. rex is one of the most irresistible children's book dinosaurs to appear since the Mesozoic era.

 

T Is for Terrible is a 2005 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-K–This picture book begins, "I am Tyrannosaurus Rex. I am a dinosaur, otherwise known as a terrible lizard." The creature continues to reflect on its own identity: "I do not know why I am so terrible." As the carnivore frightens other dinosaurs away, it wonders, "Would I be so terrible if I were pink?" In the end, it concludes: "I am Tyrannosaurus Rex… I cannot help that I am so terrible." Muted pencil-on-watercolor-paper drawings delineate a toothy but not too ferocious-looking beast with short front legs and a bemused expression (until the very end when it chases its dinner). Filled with textured lines and soft shading, the artwork glows with warmth and vitality. This beautifully formatted and well-conceived offering has creamy ivory pages that frame the subtle illustrations and spare text. It has just a hint of scariness, with a bit of humor thrown in–exactly right for the youngest dinosaur fans. A small book, but one that should be very welcome in storytimes.–Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA
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Review

"Dinosaur-crazed preschoolers will adore the whimsical account of a predator's logic."--Publishers Weekly

"This beautifully formatted and well-conceived offering has creamy ivory pages that frame the subtle illustrations and spare text. It has just a hint of scariness, with a bit of humor thrown in-exactly right for the youngest dinosaur fans. A small book, but one that should be very welcome in story-times."--School Library Journal

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) (August 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080507404X
• ISBN-13: 978-0805074048
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,024,376 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

PETER MCCARTY is the author and illustrator of many books for children, including Fabian Escapes, Moon Plane, and T Is for Terrible, as well as Hondo & Fabian, a Caldecott Honor Book. He lives with his family in upstate New York.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book in the history of the English language, October 31, 2004

By 

John D. Payne "terrible lizard" (Boston, Mass.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: T Is for Terrible (Hardcover)

This is the best book ever, the apex of English literature. I bought this book to read to my niece and nephews, but after reading it once I decided to keep it for myself. This book cracks me up. I live with a bunch of grad students, like myself, and we all agree that this is the best book ever. As we watched the Red Sox beat the Yankees and the Cards, we recited passages from this book each time David Ortiz stepped up to the plate. He cannot help that he is so enormous, and so enormously hungry. I guess what I am saying is, buy this book. Buy one for each small child that you love. Because denying them this book is like denying them shoes, or milk. It's a crime.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Adorable New Children's Book for Dinosaur-Lovers, October 19, 2004

By 

Erika Sorocco (Southern California, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: T Is for Terrible (Hardcover)

Everyone knows that the Tyrannosaurus Rex is a terrible dinosaur. But it's not really his fault. After all, the little Tyrannosaurus Rex had no control over how big he would grow, or what food he would crave. Sure, he stomps on things at times, and makes the ground shake, and sometimes even eats his very own next-door-neighbors, but if you ask the Tyrannosaurus Rex, he will tell you that it's not his fault. He just can't help it. It's his nature. After all, there is no such thing as a Tyrannosaurus Rex who is a vegetarian.

Peter McCarty has done a fabulous job of creating a children's book that is easy to read and understand, while keeping it enjoyable, and attention-grabbing at the same time. His many defensesfor the Tyrannosaurus Rex are adorable, and will teach children to not judge things - whether they are people or animals - by their mannerisms, for they can't always change their ways, sometimes they are born with the characteristics. Filled with delightful illustrations of the Tyrannosaurus Rex, as well as other dinosaurs on every page, T IS FOR TERRIBLE is sure to be loved by children of all ages.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars T is for Terrific, like all of this author's books, December 22, 2004

By 

A. Newman (Miami, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: T Is for Terrible (Hardcover)

My 18-month old LOVES all of Peter McCarty's books. Even the ones that are for slightly older readers completely capture his attention. He loves everything about them--the pictures and the stories. When he was younger, they were the only books he would want to look at from cover to cover. And it's strange, because the drawings are quite artistic and are in muted colors, not the bold primary colors usually used in children's books. And a big plus -- the stories are so charming that even adults won't get sick of them (at least I haven't yet, after about 1,000 readings!).