Dad's Dinosaur Day

by Diane Dawson Hearn

Not feeling like himself, Dad decides to spend the day as a dinosaur dad, bounding off to school with his son Mikey, eating pizza for dinner, being read to, and teaching Mikey something about the demands of fatherhood.

Genres: Picture Books, Dinosaurs, Humor, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

I have been writing stories and drawing pictures for them ever since I learned how to write. I decided early on that I wanted to write and illustrate children's books when I grew up.

When I got older I went to college, first at the Rhode Island School of Design and then at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Upon graduating, I began my career in illustration.

I kept writing and had my story, Dad's Dinosaur Day published by Macmillan, soon followed by Bad Luck Boswell. Though I'm still primarily an illustrator, I still enjoy writing and hope to publish another story in the near future.

Reviews

[Mr. Danny Arévalo]

Every child who loves dinosaurs has dreamed about a story like this one. The illustrations were just as action-packed as the short story.
I will be adding this to my collection of books to record for my new YouTube channel coming this summer! (link in bio)

[Diana Parker]

I love this book as a read aloud as it is silly and the kids laugh all the way through it...AND it has a surprise ending!!

[Libby]

Probably 3.5. Another library find, in which the little boy's Dad turns into a dinosaur for the day. I think the story and pictures are just ok, but N. LOVES it and has made Mark, Dad, and me read it at least 3 or 4 times each. Another author who knows their audience!

[Donna Mork]

This story answers the question of what would happen if you woke up and found your dad had turned into a dinosaur. He wouldn't go to work or drive you, but he would sure be the talk of the school at recess and lunch.

[Lillian]

Meh...

[Debbie Phillips]

The description of this book says it all. A wonderful book about a boy and his dad and a great day together. Wonderful detailed illustrations and a great story the kids loved at story time.

[Lara]

Amusing book about a kid who wakes up one day to find a dinosaur in place of his dad for the day. It's cute, and the ending is kind of funny, and the illustrations are nice. This definitely didn't really stand out to me, but I liked it, and the kids we read this to in story time seemed to find it funny enough.

[Sarah A]

This is quite a fun book where Mikey wakes up to find his Dad is having a dinosaur type of day! Dinosaurs cannot go to work or drive a car so it's a different sort of day for Mikey too!
Fun and different.

[Susan]

Always a hit with the pre-school set.

[Carolyn]

Cute. Clever. Funny.

[Kimberly]

This one would be fun to read aloud to a kid in that 2-4 range. It's pretty silly.

[Jessica]

Good to teach kids that adults of bad days.