Mike Lowery

When her teacher asks her what she wants to be when she grows up, Sal gives the obvious answer: a T. Rex! She discusses the benefits of such a state of being - getting to roar all the time, eat whatever you like, and so on - but when her strenuous efforts actually turn her into a dinosaur, she discovers that there are downsides as well. Chief amongst them are the hurt feelings of her friends and family. Fortunately, she finds a way to be a human/dinosaur hybrid, knowing how and when to stand show more up for herself, but also careful not to consume the humans around her. She even shares the secret with her soccer teammates. But will she share it with her annoying elder brother...?

In the normal course of events, How to Be a T. Rex is not a book I would pick up. Mike Lowery's artwork doesn't particularly speak to me, at first glance, and the premise of Ryan North's story isn't one I find especially appealing. That said, I'm on a project to read the entire picture-book section at work, something that has proven very useful, in highlighting my own selection bias in these matters. I've greatly broadened my knowledge of the form, and discovered some amusing books that I would otherwise have missed. This is one of them! I enjoyed the story here quite a bit, and appreciated the balance that Ryan North worked into his story, between Sal's desire for greater freedom to do what she wants, and her knowledge that it is important to respect others and be considerate of their needs and wants. The artwork, although still not to my taste, is well-suited to the humorous text, and communicates what it needs to. All in all, a solidly engaging and amusing picture-book, one I would recommend to young dinosaur-lovers in particular. show less

Okay, this book is a little younger than I normally review as it is a chapter book, but its premise was so cute I just had to read it (and I’m so very glad I did!).

Mac B is an author, but before that he was a kid, and when he was a kid, he was a spy. Mac B is just an average kid from California who gets a call from the Queen of England who asks him to do a favor--retrieve the crown jewels that were stolen. Mac B is not sure why the Queen picks him, but he agrees, and then a plane ticket show more shows up at his door and he is off on the adventure of a lifetime.

What I liked: absolutely everything. The storyline is witty and silly and fabulous. I found myself laughing out loud quite a few times. The characters are charming, and the illustrations are fantastically adorable. And, of course, I love that there are historical references throughout the book.

What I didn’t like: absolutely nothing. I read it in one sitting (it is a chapter book after all), and I enjoyed every single page. Kudos to the author and illustrator.

I would highly recommend this for chapter readers (and anyone else who enjoys silly, witty stories).

5 out of 5 stars show less

A super quick, funny, illustrated (Mike Lowery) read. Barnett starts with an author's note: "Before I was an author, I was a kid. And when I was a kid, I was a spy." Of course, the story that follows is wildly unlikely: young Mac receives a call from the Queen of England, who wants him to find the missing crown jewels, so he hops on a plane to London. Set in the 1980s, it features the KGB, karate, chess, perfectly faded blue jeans, and a Game Boy. It's a very funny caper and there is already show more a sequel planned, though this case wraps up neatly. Just the right choice for emerging/continuing readers or a funny read-aloud.

*
Re-read w/ 5.5yo May 2021
*

Quotes

"But you just said video games are rubbish."
"There is a considerable difference between believing something is rubbish and believing it should not exist," said the Queen. "Remember that." (48)

But I thought the pyramid [in front of the Louvre] was great. (I still do.) I thought it was great because I was a kid, and most kids like new things, because kids are new things too. (80)

"There are some children," said the KGB Man, "when you tell them not to do something, they want to do it even more. I thought you seemed one of these children." (139)

"What do people want more than anything else?" said the KGB Man. "They want what they cannot have." (139) show less

Sal wants to be a T. Rex when she grows up because they are awesome (obviously). She begins to pretend to be a T. Rex but soon realizes some of the negative behaviors of a dinosaur are hurting her friends and family. But perhaps a dinosaur-human hybrid will give her the best of both worlds.

There were a lot of things I liked about this book. It's humorous; it showcases how negative behaviors impact others and then goes on showcase positive behaviors; it features a child of color with everyday show more concerns; the comics-inspired style is eye-catching and full of energy; and the story highlights a typical sibling relationship (sometimes good-sometimes bad). On the flip side, Sal's voice was sometimes perhaps a smidge too snarky and the book is just a little bit too long to work as a storytime title. However, I could see elementary school-aged children really enjoying this book. show less