Dangerous Dinosaur

The Wishing Stone #1

by Lorana Hoopes

Spenser was an ordinary boy who didn't like reading until he was given a magical stone. When holding this stone, he's able to jump into books he is reading. In this first book, he travels to dinosaur time where he must help a cave boy with a dinosaur that is attacking his village. Will Spenser be able to help and will he be able to return home?

76 pages, Paperback

First published March 9, 2017

About the author

Lorana Hoopes is an inspirational romance and children’s author originally from Texas. She now lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and three children. When not writing, she can be found singing or acting on stage or kickboxing at her gym. You can also find her hosting her show Write the World where she interviews authors and writers.

Reviews

[Ann Jones]

Wonderful story! Captivated my imagination as Lorana Hoopes fashioned the story about Spenser's wild adventure! Absolutely wonderful and a great read! I would recommend The Wishing Stone and can't wait to read the next one!

[Julie Howard]

I got this book for my 7 year old niece and knowing the book wouldn't get much of a review from her, I decided to listen to it myself, so it could get more than a one word answer and also to see if it was appropriate for her and more importantly something she would listen to. The answer is yes, I think she will love it. The story is short enough to keep her attention but with enough going on that she shouldn't get board. It is written in a nice simple language and with words most ages will understand, showing the author knows her audience well, even the adults that have to listen to it might enjoy it, I did. It is a nice story with a happy ending. I will see if she likes it but I think I might have to get the rest of the books in the series.
Spenser has to read and then write a book report but he doesn't like reading when there are lots of other things to do. That is until he meets a cowboy who gives him a wishing stone with the instructions to choose his book carefully. Spenser picks a dinosaur book and while reading the book in the comfort of his own bedroom he picks up the stone and is transported to a village where he helps a young boy called Arco, with his dinosaur problem. Through team work and understand can the young boys save the village?
I liked the narrator and think his clearly spoken words and reflections will help the child's imagination fly.

[Chosptickz11]

I was pleasantly surprised by this adorable children’s book. The premise is engaging for adults and children alike. The main character is a reluctant reader that will surely encourage any reluctant reader to take a second look at what books can do for you.

The narration was a bit off to me at first due to the quality of the sound, but not the narrator’s voice. After a few minutes I was lost in the story and no longer noticed.

I would recommend this book for adults and children alike!

I was provided with a free copy of this audio book for my honest review. The views expressed here are entirely my own.

[Leona Ray]

I want a wishing stone!

This book was really good for a children's book. My 4 (almost 5) year old loved it and keeps asking for more! The wishing stone is like our imagination. It takes us into thr story that we are reading. We all need a wishibg stone/imagination if we are going to enjoy our stories. Good job and many congratulations on your first children's book Ms. Hoopes! I do believe it was a successa

[Natalie Ames]

I read this story with an average 1st grade reader. She loved it and was excited as the adventure started. The reading level was perfect for her, it challenged her and provided me with opportunity to read with her. As we continued reading she would guess what was coming next, sometimes we were correct and other times surprised. At the end of the story she said, "...she should write a million more of these..."

[Pat]

As an adult I loved this story because it helped the boy learn to love books. What boy can resist a story about a dinosaur & then be part of helping that dinosaur with his problem. I received a free audible copy from the author. The narrator does a very good job changing his voice to fit the characters.
Ms. Hoopes does such a good job writing appropriate stories for young & old. This is my voluntary opinion.

[Sara Hill]

As a child, there were few things I loved more than sitting down and reading The Magic Tree House. The Wishing Stone gave me those same happy feelings as an adult.

I loved that this book started off with a trip to the library. I remeber that feeling of getting my first library card. This story takes off into an epic story involing dinosaurs. It was fast paced and had lots of unforgetable characters. I loved how science is woven throughout the book as well.

Mark Wimmer did a nice job as the voice of Spenser.

I received a copy of this book at my request, and I have voluntarily left this review.

[Ashley Hedden]

Dangerous Dinosaur (The Wishing Stone #1) was a good read by Lorana Hoopes. Spencer is given a mysterious wishing stone that helps him become a character in his favorite books. With his first wish, he wants to go back to the land of the dinosaurs. He teams up with a local cave boy, Arco, to stop a dinosaur from attacking their village. I really enjoyed reading this book and can't wait to read more by the author.

[Priscila]

The Wishing Stone was such a great book! I know I'm definitely not its market audience, but I loved it! The story was fun to follow and the narrator? Goodness, he's just so good! He seriously made every character come alive, and I'm pretty sure he contributed to the enjoyment factor in this reading/ listening experience. Completely recommended, both to young and old :)

[Elissa]

Reading Aloud

If you were lucky, you had someone who read to you when you were a child. Nowadays you can get an audiobook to do that for you. Narrator Mark Wimmer brings author Lorana Hoopes delightful tale to life as a boy learns how much fun reading can be when his imagination is allowed to soar. In this case, with a dinosaur. Sorry, couldn't resist!

[Rose]

This was a very cute story. I started listening with my granddaughter who enjoyed part of it very much, we didn't get to finish it together, so I finished listening on my own. I think this is a delightful children's story and I plan on listening to the series.

I was given a free code for this book and am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Ann Jones]

Excellent! Wonderful story! Captivated my imagination as Lorana Hoopes fashioned the story about Spenser's wild adventure! Absolutely wonderful and a great read! I would recommend The Wishing Stone and can't wait to read the next one!

[Teri]

My eldest grands (10 & 7) agree hands down that this is a 5 star read. They loved the pictures and the story. We are now on a hunt for a wishing stone. . . shaking my head!

[Sara Glancy]

What a magical time travel book for your little adventurer! It was written so great that I felt like I was actually in the book traveling with the boy!

[Marie Bourgery]

Spencer has to read and write a report on a book for school, but he hates to read. He meets a man on his way home from school that gives him a wishing stone to make reading fun. Spencer can wish for whatever he wants while reading and holding the stone. He wishes to meet young caveman Arco in his book and he is taken back in time. Spencer must find a way to help Arco heal the injured dinosaur terrorizing their village and find his way back home to his family. I loved the idea of the stone. What a great way to make reading fun for kids.

[Mimia The Reader]

A very good short story. It’s one of those kids books that are nice and help pass the time on a random Sunday.

[Randy Tramp]

Okay read. My kids would like it.

[Jennifer]

I love the idea of a wishing stone to take me inside a book. There are so many adventures I could go one, just like in this story. So much fun!
I listened to the audiobook version and the narrator also did a pretty good job. She was not the best narrator I've listened to, but nowhere near the worse, either.