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Linus the Vegetarian T. rex
Meet Linus—a Tyrannosaurus rex who is very brave, very tough, and very…vegetarian?
Ruth Ann Mackenzie knows everything about dinosaurs. She knows their names. She knows when they lived. And she certainly knows what they ate. So when she meets Linus, a towering, toothy T. rex who prefers picking vegetables to preying on his herbivorous neighbors, she’s not sure what to think. Is something wrong with Linus? Or does Ruth Ann maybe, just maybe, not know everything there is to know about dinosaurs?
Dino lovers young and old will delight in this picture book chock-full of prehistoric personality—and don’t forget to search for the naughty velociraptor duo hidden throughout the book!
Ruth Ann Mackenzie knows everything about dinosaurs. She knows their names. She knows when they lived. And she certainly knows what they ate. So when she meets Linus, a towering, toothy T. rex who prefers picking vegetables to preying on his herbivorous neighbors, she’s not sure what to think. Is something wrong with Linus? Or does Ruth Ann maybe, just maybe, not know everything there is to know about dinosaurs?
Dino lovers young and old will delight in this picture book chock-full of prehistoric personality—and don’t forget to search for the naughty velociraptor duo hidden throughout the book!
40 pages, Hardcover
First published July 9, 2013
About the author
Robert Neubecker
44 books11 followersRobert Neubecker is the award-winning author-illustrator of Wow! City! and Wow! Ocean! He has illustrated many other books for young readers. His work has been published by Slate, the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times. He lives in Park City, Utah, with his family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
September 21, 2013
The beginning of the book was great -- setting up a smart, science-loving, female protagonist -- but then everything went a little wonky.
The "Cretaceous Surprises exhibit" was confusing. Was it a trip back through time? A re-creation? And the existence of a vegetarian T-Rex wasn't given any explanation.
The author profile on the back jacket flap explains that "Robert Neubecker was inspired to write this story after reading about Falcarius utahensis, a dinosaur whose ancestors evolved from being meat eaters to vegetarians." Falcarius utahensis were actually related to Velociraptors, a much smaller carnivore than T-Rex.
The illustrations of a big, blue, vegetable-loving T-Rex are cute, but not scientifically accurate. I think my fact-obsessed first grader is rubbing off on me.
The "Cretaceous Surprises exhibit" was confusing. Was it a trip back through time? A re-creation? And the existence of a vegetarian T-Rex wasn't given any explanation.
The author profile on the back jacket flap explains that "Robert Neubecker was inspired to write this story after reading about Falcarius utahensis, a dinosaur whose ancestors evolved from being meat eaters to vegetarians." Falcarius utahensis were actually related to Velociraptors, a much smaller carnivore than T-Rex.
The illustrations of a big, blue, vegetable-loving T-Rex are cute, but not scientifically accurate. I think my fact-obsessed first grader is rubbing off on me.
December 21, 2019
Eamon got this book for Christmas from his wonderful Aunt and Uncle! It was so much fun reading it to him today, and once it finished he asked for “moooar dinosaurs!” It’s so helpful to have literature and examples of people (or dinos!) eating plant-based diets. I’m grateful that he’ll be able to grow up seeing himself in fun books like these.
August 28, 2017
This book makes me all kinds of sad because it's all kinds of wrong.
I don't get why the author chose to portray a T.Rex as a vegetarian when there are so many huge dinosaurs that are herbivorous for real. Most of the gargantuan dinosaurs were herbivores.
The author was supposedly inspired to write this story "after reading about Falcarius utahensis, a dinosaur whose ancestors evolved from being meat-eaters to vegetarians." The truth is, ALL vegetarian dinosaurs evolved from ancestors that were carnivores. (You can read about dinosaurs that made this dietary transition here: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/05/sci...). So it isn't like the author was wanting for choices.
In fact, scientists are not sure if the Falcarius ate meat or plants or both, since the transition extended millions of years. So, the author found the wrong dinosaur to serve as his inspiration for this story. Still, it would have been relatively okay if the author chose to portray the Falcarius as a vegetarian instead of the T-Rex.
The other problem with the book is that it shows the T.Rex as being friends with dinosaurs that were from different periods altogether. The T.Rex belonged to the Late Cretaceous Period, which was 68 to 66 million years ago. In this book, it is seen interacting with Iguanodons, which belonged to the Early Cretaceous Period, which was 126 to 125 million years ago. The Velociraptors belonged to the Late Cretaceous Period, but 75 to 71 million years ago, so they were extinct at least 10 million years before the T.Rex came into existence.
To put this in perspective, the modern form of humans have only been around for 200,000 years. And the dinosaurs in the book are millions of years apart!
This could have been a really good book if the author did some basic research on dinosaurs. The book serves to inspire kids to visit The Museum of Natural History. The author should too!
I don't get why the author chose to portray a T.Rex as a vegetarian when there are so many huge dinosaurs that are herbivorous for real. Most of the gargantuan dinosaurs were herbivores.
The author was supposedly inspired to write this story "after reading about Falcarius utahensis, a dinosaur whose ancestors evolved from being meat-eaters to vegetarians." The truth is, ALL vegetarian dinosaurs evolved from ancestors that were carnivores. (You can read about dinosaurs that made this dietary transition here: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/05/sci...). So it isn't like the author was wanting for choices.
In fact, scientists are not sure if the Falcarius ate meat or plants or both, since the transition extended millions of years. So, the author found the wrong dinosaur to serve as his inspiration for this story. Still, it would have been relatively okay if the author chose to portray the Falcarius as a vegetarian instead of the T-Rex.
The other problem with the book is that it shows the T.Rex as being friends with dinosaurs that were from different periods altogether. The T.Rex belonged to the Late Cretaceous Period, which was 68 to 66 million years ago. In this book, it is seen interacting with Iguanodons, which belonged to the Early Cretaceous Period, which was 126 to 125 million years ago. The Velociraptors belonged to the Late Cretaceous Period, but 75 to 71 million years ago, so they were extinct at least 10 million years before the T.Rex came into existence.
To put this in perspective, the modern form of humans have only been around for 200,000 years. And the dinosaurs in the book are millions of years apart!
This could have been a really good book if the author did some basic research on dinosaurs. The book serves to inspire kids to visit The Museum of Natural History. The author should too!
April 13, 2018
Ruth Ann MacKenzie, a member of the Museum of Natural History knows everything she needs to know about natural history. From the Ice Age to the oceans that cover the world, Ruth knows it all. Although Ruth knows all about the those topics she is the expert on Dinosaurs. Ask Ruth anything about those prehistoric creatures and she would tell you everything you need to know about Dinosaurs. The museum Ruth is a member of opened the Cretaceous exhibit. Ruth who knows everything about Dinosaurs does not expect to be surprised. However, as she walks into the exhibit she is greeted by a real live Tyrannosaurus Rex named Linus. Ruth gets to learn first hand what Linus eats. Ruth eventually notices that Linus does not eat any meat. This contradicts her knowledge of the Tyrannosaurus Rex. Even though Linus is a friendly T-Rex that does not eat his friend there is one type of dinosaur that Linus cannot stand and those are velociraptors. Ruth gets to see the vicious side of Linus which is what she considers to be more like what a T-Rex should act like according to her knowledge of them. After Ruth comes back from spending time with Linus and talking about the Cretaceous period she goes on to explore the museum in search of more surprises.
I enjoyed reading this book for a number of reasons. For one, the illustrations were fun and eye catching. The depiction of the Dinosaur, Linus is adorable and would certainly catch the attention of young readers whether they like dinosaurs or not. The plot of the story is also fun and playful. It shows that even though one might be labeled a certain way not everyone is similar to what most people portray them as. This is a wonderful book and it is certainly one that young readers who love dinosaurs would find enjoyable to read. I would certainly put this book in my classroom for students to read and enjoy.
I enjoyed reading this book for a number of reasons. For one, the illustrations were fun and eye catching. The depiction of the Dinosaur, Linus is adorable and would certainly catch the attention of young readers whether they like dinosaurs or not. The plot of the story is also fun and playful. It shows that even though one might be labeled a certain way not everyone is similar to what most people portray them as. This is a wonderful book and it is certainly one that young readers who love dinosaurs would find enjoyable to read. I would certainly put this book in my classroom for students to read and enjoy.
July 25, 2013
I like the build up of Ruth Ann's love of the museum and the story is rather an enjoyable read. However, they didn't quite explain why the T. Rex was misunderstood as a meat eater instead of a vegetarian, especially with those sharp, pointy teeth. More observant dinosaur experts might be asking a lot of questions with this one.
July 9, 2019
Ruth Ann thinks she knows everything about natural history, especially about dinosaurs. But one day at the Natural History Museum she meets Linus who turns out to be a vegetarian T-Rex. She and Linus travel through his world. As he meets up with other dinosaurs, they all say hi and greet each other joyously. When Ruth Ann asks him why he doesn't eat the other dinos, he says quite naturally that he doesn't want to eat his friends. This book is a great introduction to small children about be kind to and connected to other animals.
September 27, 2019
Not everyone is the way people think they are. In the book the author is showing the readers that you shouldn't stereotype people based on what they are. Children of all ages will enjoy this story on a strange dinosaur who cares about others. Linus teaches us that we shouldn't judge people based on what they are or what they do. As Neubecker wrote " Didn’t you want to eat those guys... I wouldn’t dream of it... they're my friends."
February 11, 2021
Let me preface this review by saying I know little to nothing about dinosaurs. I know that they existed and I know that some ate meat and some ate plants but when they lived and other facts about them are a mystery to me.
I thought Linus was super cute, for a T. rex. There were some extreme close ups of Linus that were not really necessary. You can see the crows feet around his eyes that looked like eyelashes. Kind of creepy. But the story was sweet and I want to be Linus's best friend.
I thought Linus was super cute, for a T. rex. There were some extreme close ups of Linus that were not really necessary. You can see the crows feet around his eyes that looked like eyelashes. Kind of creepy. But the story was sweet and I want to be Linus's best friend.
July 24, 2025
Jack borrowed this book from the Columbus Metropolitan Library. I picked it because he loves dinosaurs and needs to eat more veggies, and I had a dog named Linus as a kid. Anyway, Jack enjoyed the dinosaurs and was surprised and delighted when Linus showed up all bright blue and opinionated. I kind of find it troubling that he is a vegetarian T-Rex but I think the book handles it decently. It’s not preachy or anything. More about individuality. But Jack enjoyed it.
October 28, 2025
Linus the vegetarian Tyrannosaurus rex went hunting with Ruth Ann, a fellow dinosaur lover. First he found some arugula. He continued to forage, confusing Ruth Ann. She thought that every t. Rex ate meat. She asked Linus why he wasn’t eating any animals. He let her know that his appetite was for fruits and veggies only. That day, Ruth Ann learned something new about the Tyrannosaurus rex. Linus was a dinosaur that was different from the norm.
February 13, 2020
Ruth Ann is visiting the Natural History Museum, of which she is a member. She loves the museum. Today she decides to check out a new exhibit on the Cretaceous era. Inside she meets Linus, a vegetarian TRex. Ruth Ann is frustrated with Linus' vegetarian ways until she learns that he can be ferocious when the situation really calls for it.
A cute addition to the plethora of dinosaur books.
A cute addition to the plethora of dinosaur books.
August 3, 2020
I like the point of the book, which is to be kind and accepting to everyone. Let’s not stereotype people and instead use our creativity and open-mindedness to discover who people really are. That’s great, but the story wasn’t. Just not that engaging and felt like it was missing part of the story. However, the illustrations were great.
February 5, 2025
Not sure why Linus was a vegetarian. This could give kids the wrong idea that t-rex dinos were actually vegetarians or feel like a didactic message about vegetarianism. I guess either option would be OK if the message was actually clear. The author's note was the most interesting thing about the book, so it would have been nice to have some back matter that told more about vegetarian dinosaurs.
December 3, 2023
I liked Linus the vegetarian T-Rex a lot! That was nice that he got along with all the other dinosaurs and scared the velociraptor away. I didn't like Ruth Ann trying to correct Linus and tell him to eat meat. Let him be who he is! Pictures were nice.
February 6, 2020
A girl loves the Museum of Natural History, and when she steps into a particular exhibit, she experiences history in an up close and personal way. It was cute, just not my favorite.
February 14, 2020
A nice little story about a dinosaur that isn’t what the little girl expects.
August 13, 2023
Five star because funny
September 2, 2023
The title is a spoiler. A girl visits a museum and imagines herself back in the cretaceous hanging out with a friendly dinisaur.
October 8, 2020
Amazing illustrations, amazing story, and amazing message.
January 29, 2017
3.0
Gender Diversity: Female protagonist; dinosaurs of various genders
Ethnic Diversity: Not applicable
Challenging Language: Dinosaur names and era (e.g., Triassic, Jurassic), arugula
Themes to Discuss: positive qualities of imagination and fantasy, defying expectations, carnivorous animals
Linus is right on the verge of being the sort of frivolously cute book I wouldn’t give a second read based simply on its text and plot, but it has two positive themes that seem to resonate with that toddler – plus a third I always love.
The first is its young female protagonist, Ruth Ann, who loves the Museum of Natural History and knows everything about dinosaurs. EV also has a membership to a science museum and is obsessed with dinos, and this is the first time she has seen herself reflected in a book rather than reading those traits about a male character.
The second is that Ruth Ann doesn’t let her knowledge get in the way of her creativity. When she visits an exhibit whose facts she likely knows all about, she instead uses her imagination to transport herself on an adventure with a giant blue vegetarian T. Rex who eats all sorts of anachronistic fruits and veggies.
(The joke – which is set up with several page-turn punch lines – will be lost on a kid who doesn’t know that T. Rex’s are carnivorous, which Ruth Ann doesn’t say explicitly until much later.)
And third, Linus is perfectly happy with being a different kind of T. Rex and Ruth Ann comes to love him for it. A lot of books that try to reinforce this “differences are okay” theme either make the differences out to be scary or something to be contained so you can it in. Linus does neither.
The art work is cartoonish and cute, with smiling anthropomorphized dinosaurs. Ruth Ann can seem a bit flat in comparison to Linus, who is like a more charismatic Barney The Dinosaur. It’s hard not to deliver his dialog with gusto. Also, I appreciated a pair of feathered velociraptors, which speak to its 2013 publishing date.
Read More @ http://crushingkrisis.com/2016/09/chi...
Gender Diversity: Female protagonist; dinosaurs of various genders
Ethnic Diversity: Not applicable
Challenging Language: Dinosaur names and era (e.g., Triassic, Jurassic), arugula
Themes to Discuss: positive qualities of imagination and fantasy, defying expectations, carnivorous animals
Linus is right on the verge of being the sort of frivolously cute book I wouldn’t give a second read based simply on its text and plot, but it has two positive themes that seem to resonate with that toddler – plus a third I always love.
The first is its young female protagonist, Ruth Ann, who loves the Museum of Natural History and knows everything about dinosaurs. EV also has a membership to a science museum and is obsessed with dinos, and this is the first time she has seen herself reflected in a book rather than reading those traits about a male character.
The second is that Ruth Ann doesn’t let her knowledge get in the way of her creativity. When she visits an exhibit whose facts she likely knows all about, she instead uses her imagination to transport herself on an adventure with a giant blue vegetarian T. Rex who eats all sorts of anachronistic fruits and veggies.
(The joke – which is set up with several page-turn punch lines – will be lost on a kid who doesn’t know that T. Rex’s are carnivorous, which Ruth Ann doesn’t say explicitly until much later.)
And third, Linus is perfectly happy with being a different kind of T. Rex and Ruth Ann comes to love him for it. A lot of books that try to reinforce this “differences are okay” theme either make the differences out to be scary or something to be contained so you can it in. Linus does neither.
The art work is cartoonish and cute, with smiling anthropomorphized dinosaurs. Ruth Ann can seem a bit flat in comparison to Linus, who is like a more charismatic Barney The Dinosaur. It’s hard not to deliver his dialog with gusto. Also, I appreciated a pair of feathered velociraptors, which speak to its 2013 publishing date.
Read More @ http://crushingkrisis.com/2016/09/chi...
September 6, 2013
Ruth Ann liked going to the Museum of Natural History. Mostly because she loved natural history, and the museum naturally had quite a bit of history to explore. But her favorite part was the dinosaur exhibit. She knew just about everything there was to know about dinosaurs. So when she discovered a new exhibit, she was very excited. When she walked in a Large Tyrannosaurus Rex greeted her with a “Hello, I’m Linus!” But Ruth Ann knew everything about dinosaurs, so she knew that a T. Rex was a meat eater and shouldn’t be friendly with a potential meal. But Linus was friendly. He showed her around, introduced her to other dinosaur friends, and even saved her from some pesky velociraptors. When Ruth Ann questions Linus about it he says he is a vegetarian T. Rex who would rather be popular and have friends than to eat them–and would save his “fierce” nature for when creatures like the velociraptors come after people like Ruth Ann. So, Ruth Ann learns a bit more about dinosaurs, and enjoys her visit with Linus. After a visit to the gift shop, Ruth Ann decides to find out what other new exhibits the Museum of Natural History has.
This is a fun story. Especially because I think my story time kiddos will enjoy a story with a “nice” T. Rex. (Even though that isn’t all that realistic…at least Ruth Ann points out how unrealistic it is to have a vegetarian T. Rex around.) And I really like the illustrations. The one spread where Linus has his head on the ground so that he can be almost eye-to-eye with Ruth Ann is especially great (and I love how large Linus is compared to Ruth Ann…and how sharp his teeth are even though they have a few leafy veggies hanging from them). Then are the funny pictures where a T. Rex with somewhat short arms are holding carrots or other vegetables to put in his big mouth (let’s just say that small arms probably make eating veggies a bit tricky). But mostly I like this book because Linus is just such a fun character. And really, who can’t love a nice, big, blue T. Rex? Especially when it seems that all he wants is to be friends with everyone?
This is a fun story. Especially because I think my story time kiddos will enjoy a story with a “nice” T. Rex. (Even though that isn’t all that realistic…at least Ruth Ann points out how unrealistic it is to have a vegetarian T. Rex around.) And I really like the illustrations. The one spread where Linus has his head on the ground so that he can be almost eye-to-eye with Ruth Ann is especially great (and I love how large Linus is compared to Ruth Ann…and how sharp his teeth are even though they have a few leafy veggies hanging from them). Then are the funny pictures where a T. Rex with somewhat short arms are holding carrots or other vegetables to put in his big mouth (let’s just say that small arms probably make eating veggies a bit tricky). But mostly I like this book because Linus is just such a fun character. And really, who can’t love a nice, big, blue T. Rex? Especially when it seems that all he wants is to be friends with everyone?
November 29, 2013
Ruth Ann MacKenzie loves dinosaurs and knows just about everything you could want to know about them. But on a trip to the Museum of Natural History, she meets Linus, a Tyrannosaurus Rex, who prefers veggies to meat. I liked the fact that Ruth Ann loves science and how the author uses verbs such as "attacked" (unpaged), "cornered" (unpaged), and "pounced" (unpaged), leading readers to expect a violent assault on his next meal, which turns out to be some sort of plant, not an animal. When Ruth Ann tries to convince him that he is being untrue to his inner nature, he shows his ferocity by protecting her from a prehistoric threat. The illustrations, created with India ink and then colored on a computer with fingerprints and collage, are lively and will appeal to young readers. Ruth Ann's innate curiosity about scientific topics is a good example for other students although the book could use some back matter to describe the true nature of the T-Rex and its eating habits. Nevertheless, young dinosaur fans will be drawn to this title.
Read
November 13, 2015Ruth Ann is a young girl who loves history and visiting the Museum of Natural History. She knew about all of the exhibits, but the exhibit she knew the most about were the dinosaurs! A new exhibit had opened up called the Cretaceous Surprises exhibit, and she was looking forward to something new. Ruth Ann is shocked to find herself face to face to a Tyrannosaurus Rex named Linus. He asks her to lunch and Ruth Ann tags along, and is surprised to see him eating nothing but vegetables. What kind of dinosaur has Ruth Ann come across, and could this possibly be dangerous?
Activity: Have students get into groups based off of their favorite place to go. They will then create a short story out of pictures about their favorite things to do at that place. Once they have finished, they will present to the rest of the classroom.
Neubecker, R. (2013). Linus the vegetarian T. Rex. New York, New York: Beach Lane Books
Activity: Have students get into groups based off of their favorite place to go. They will then create a short story out of pictures about their favorite things to do at that place. Once they have finished, they will present to the rest of the classroom.
Neubecker, R. (2013). Linus the vegetarian T. Rex. New York, New York: Beach Lane Books
July 14, 2014
The illustrations are adorable, the young female heroine is a great example for young lovers in science, Linus is quite lovable, & best of all, this is an educational story for even adults... For how many of you knew there was a vegetarian dinosaur? Based on explorer and/or archaeologist Kirkland from The Utah Geological Society's discoveries, researchers have uncovered evidence that Falcarius Utahenis, in the theropod family of dinosaurs, evolved from a carnivore to a vegetarian (and/or herbivore)! The hypothesis is that they found themselves forced when in an area of no other herbivore competition.
www.nhmu.utah.edu/falcarius-utahenis
www.nature.com/news/2005/050502/full/...
www.nhmu.utah.edu/falcarius-utahenis
www.nature.com/news/2005/050502/full/...
September 13, 2013
Ruth Ann Mackenzie is a member of the Museum of Natural History, she knows alot about Dinosaurs so she does not expect to be surprised when she goes to see the new Cretaceous Surprises Exhibition. But then she meets Linus the Vegetarian T.Rex. She is very surprised and a little perplexed as well. T.Rexs are supposed to be fierce predators aren't they? When they encounter velociraptors Linus proves he can be all that and still be himself too.
This is a cool story about somebody who dares to be different. And kids who like dinosaurs will love Linus.
This is a cool story about somebody who dares to be different. And kids who like dinosaurs will love Linus.
March 7, 2014
Linus likes tomatoes, broccoli, arugula, and lots of other veggies. As for the other dinosaurs he's supposed to be hunting, well, they all like him a lot because he is so nice to them. Bold illustrations that are full of action. Cute story from a Utah author/illustrator. Though the book talks about the main character's surprise at finding this unusual dinosaur, and the museum being full of surprises, for me there weren't a lot of surprises in the story because the title already kind of says it all.
February 3, 2015
Well, I had to read it because I kind of made fun of it every time I saw the title. I would always say (and it was funny to me every time) Linus the Vegetarian T. rex...the shortest story ever. Because, really, that t. rex isn't going to last long. But I read it, suspending reality, as one should read a children's book, and I thought it was cute. I like that the author makes this an adventure inside a museum, which promotes the awesomeness of museums. And trying to get kids to eat veggies is just always a good idea.
July 17, 2014
I liked the start -- a smart girl who loves the Natural History Museum and especially the dinosaur exhibit displays we vast knowledge of all things Dino. But then she goes to a new exhibit at the museum and...meets a dinosaur? A vegetarian T. rex? That didn't make sense to me.
If the author was inspired by a dinosaur whose ancestors evolved from meat eaters to vegetarians -- that's awesome -- but stick with that dinosaur. I guess Linus the Vegetarian Falcarius utahensis isn't as catchy...
If the author was inspired by a dinosaur whose ancestors evolved from meat eaters to vegetarians -- that's awesome -- but stick with that dinosaur. I guess Linus the Vegetarian Falcarius utahensis isn't as catchy...
July 18, 2014
Our friends aren't what we expect, but sometimes they're just what we need. Ruth Ann meets a T. Rex at the museum who doesn't threaten or eat other dinosaurs, and after a while this gets on her nerves. But Linus subscribes to my favorite moral: We don't eat our friends.
I really enjoyed the illustrations, which were lively, colorful, and fun. I wonder about about the message - but maybe it's just that Vegetarians Aren't Wussies.
I really enjoyed the illustrations, which were lively, colorful, and fun. I wonder about about the message - but maybe it's just that Vegetarians Aren't Wussies.
November 29, 2013
This is a wonderfully illustrated, joyful picture book about a young dinosaur lover and her encounter with an unusually friendly T. Rex. The illustrations are laugh-out-loud funny and will have youngsters giggling.
LINUS is a lively, affirming reading choice for vegetarian children, yet it is also gentle and mainstream enough for their omnivorous counterparts.
LINUS is a lively, affirming reading choice for vegetarian children, yet it is also gentle and mainstream enough for their omnivorous counterparts.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews