Ridin' Dinos with Buck Bronco

by George McClements

Meet Buck Bronco, a dino-ridin' cowboy who's chompin' at the bit to share the secrets of his Mesozoic Ranch. Why is he so eager to dispense his dino know-how? Well, he and his prehistoric pals are in a bit of a predicament . . . and they're hopin' readers will lend 'em a hand.

Dinosaurs, a cowboy, and a terrific surprise ending--this plum-perfect story truly has somethin' for everyone.

Includes unusual, intriguing, and scientifically accurate dinosaur names and facts.

Genres: Dinosaurs, Picture Books, Childrens, Humor, Fiction, Westerns

40 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2007

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

An ideal book for any child with an interest in dinosaurs AND horseback riding. I would have preferred more of a story than a how-to manual.

[Michelle (driftingsong) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Obviously this book wasn't written for me. I get that. I still read children's books as it's beneficial given that I teach children and I do think this book in the right hands would be great. I mean it's a fictional book that involves riding dinosaurs and includes a few actual facts about dinos. Totally great for a kid who loves dinos but also doesn't find this idea ridiculous.

[Maria Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun book! Educational with a lot of chance to give reading depth. Perfect, especially if your little is an animal lover with great practical applications towards animal husbandry and sport riding.

[Misbah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Buck Bronco finds dinosaur eggs and decides to raise the dinos.
He learns to ride dinos and teaches the reader about different dinosaurs.

[Kristel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fanciful picture book is at once both fiction and nonfiction. Buck Bronco teaches young readers about dinosaur names, eating habits, and physical characteristics not to mention the Mesozoic era. He also teaches them how “to ride” and “care for” dinosaurs which, while not possible, all of Buck’s tips and instructions apply to riding horses—including the tack. The author pretends to act as merely Buck’s amanuensis to add to the whimsical effect. Buck “speaks” in cowboy lingo using phrases like “in yer britches,” “pack a wallop” and “git movin” which lends credibility to his persona as a teacher of bronco-busting. Lauren Rille designed the illustrations using mixed media collage, allowing each page to look different from the last. Some are more instructional than others, with small pictures labeled with vocabulary words, while others take up both the recto and verso demonstrating the scale of dinosaurs to each other and to humans. Some dinosaurs are drawn so true to form that they don’t even fit on the page! All the illustrations are in a variety of colors—both pastel and bright—and are pretty silly. As Buck teaches readers on taking card of dinosaurs after they ride them, the picture shows him scrubbing a large dinosaur’s skin, while the dino reclines on his back, prompting a giggle from young readers. Buck always appears in cowboy hat, handkerchief and chaps and lasso in hand—the very picture of a cowboy in a child’s mind. Even the Acknowledgments on the back flap of the dust cover keeps up the pretense that Buck is a real dinosaur cowboy—he has his biographical paragraph. A truly enjoyable book that parents, teachers or caregivers won’t mind reading “Again!” Public and elementary school libraries must have this title in their collections—the size of the pictures would make it swell for storytime.

[Ubalstecha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very clever book on a cowboy who has found some dinosaur eggs and hatched them He now teaches kids how to ride the giant lizards. Clever use of cowboy speak make this story fun for parents to read to children of all ages. Illustrations are made with ripped paper, but are clearly influenced by Pixar.

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny. Enjoyed the humor and the illustrations. Even has some actual facts to teach basic dino stuff. Would work in my preschool storytime, even if a couple of jokes were lost on them. Especially with the accent! But I really like the other cowboys & dinosaurs book that I found. I'll read the other and keep this for books on display.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't thought to post reviews of the books I read with my kids, but this one was so cute. It inspired me to read it with an accent (although I may have sounded more Southern than Cowboy). Very fun story that teaches a few things about dinosaurs.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Dinosaurs come in so many shapes and sizes, I'm sure you'll find out to match yer personality."

Buck, from Mesozoic Ranch, gives advice on how to mount, ride and take care of your dinosaur. The cowboy language would make this a fun read aloud

[The Library Lady]

Funny enough. And the combination of cowboys AND dinosaurs will make this popular. Perhaps next someone will do pirate firemen, or firemen pirates....

[Caleb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty novel way of introducing bits of trivia about dinosaurs to kids: Having a cowboy drop them while instructing his audience on how to ride and care for ranch-raised dinosaurs.

[Penny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute.

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new take on dinosaurs, this time from a cowboy point of view. How to ride 'em and take care of 'em and all the hootin' tootin' stuff.

Cute illustrations.