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Thesaurus Has a Secret: A Kids' Indie Pick – A Humorous Picture Book About a Dinosaur and Language for Kids
From author-illustrator Anya Glazer comes a humorous picture book for dinosaur fans and word lovers of all ages!
Thesaurus is an ordinary dinosaur. A very ordinary dinosaur . . . who just happens to love words. And the other dinos know that’s just who he is. But behind his verbose and fancy language, Thesaurus has also been keeping something absolutely, very, extremely top secret.
But as his lies begin to stack up, someone begins to notice. And if the other dinos discover what Thesaurus is hiding, they won’t think he’s such a normal dinosaur after all.
Thesaurus is an ordinary dinosaur. A very ordinary dinosaur . . . who just happens to love words. And the other dinos know that’s just who he is. But behind his verbose and fancy language, Thesaurus has also been keeping something absolutely, very, extremely top secret.
But as his lies begin to stack up, someone begins to notice. And if the other dinos discover what Thesaurus is hiding, they won’t think he’s such a normal dinosaur after all.
40 pages, Hardcover
Published October 6, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
April 11, 2021
Oh, golly, I loved this little book! It is soooo adorable! A book-loving dinosaur named Thesaurus? Oh, yes, please! If you love dinosaurs, or books, or words... read it! It's one of those books that can be read and enjoyed by children but has another level for adults. I want a poster of the two-page spread where Thesaurus is reading a stack of books. Here are some of my favorite titles: Allosaurus' Adventures in Wonderland, T. Rex of the D'Urbervilles, Jurassic Mansfield Park, A Tail of Two Cities, The Adventures of Saurolophus Holmes, Ankylosaurus of Green Gables, The Brothers Camarasaurus, Five Children and Ichthyosaurus, One Flew Over the Pterodactyl's Nest. (Oh, and don't forget The Stranger by Albertosaurus Camus and Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontësaurus -- LOL!) So fun! So clever! Also love the spread where we see favorite children's book characters remained as dinosaurs (Mary Poppins, the Wizard of Oz group, Peter Pan and Captain Hook) *squeee* The story itself is utterly charming, too, a gentle celebration of being different and that, sometimes, people (erm, dinosaurs) will surprise you if you just give them a chance.
July 26, 2021
I like that some of the books in the stack didn't get changed. For example, on of my favorites, The Phantom Tollbooth, still suits the dinosaur era.
"Sometimes he wished he could share his love of stories with someone. But in the company of a good book, he never really felt alone."
Btw, if it's bugging you that you've seen that style of illustration before but can't remember where, it's José Aruego. You're welcome.
I will look for more by Glazer.
"Sometimes he wished he could share his love of stories with someone. But in the company of a good book, he never really felt alone."
Btw, if it's bugging you that you've seen that style of illustration before but can't remember where, it's José Aruego. You're welcome.
I will look for more by Glazer.
October 26, 2020
One of those bibliophilic stories: it's a book about the magic of books! A dinosaur thinks everyone will judge him for being a reader, but turns out they all like it just as much as he does. I've seen at least three books drawing on the "Thesaurus" as a dinosaur concept--this one doesn't disappoint!
December 4, 2020
Cute, lovely, and enchanting! Perfect picture book for storytimes and read alouds.
December 3, 2020
I felt there could’ve been more? I was expecting it to have a story more with synonyms ?
July 24, 2020
'Thesaurus Has a Secret' by Anya Glazer is a cute story about a dinosaur named Thesaurus. He loves words, but he feels he has to hide this secret because he believes that none of the other dinosaurs would understand. He finds spots where he will not be noticed and where he can read his books. He just wants to fit in, and this is his way of making it happen. Little does he know that the other dinosaurs think nothing of the sort. They are also curious about the stories.
Thesaurus realizes, through his actions, that hiding things isn't the answer. He should be true to who he is and there will be people (or, in this case, dinosaurs) who accept him. He even finds himself a leader of sorts as a result. The book also presents a nice moral in that it captures the power of getting swept up in the excitement of reading about new and interesting worlds that can pave the path to exciting adventures and discussions throughout life.
A sweet and friendly story, 'Thesaurus Has a Secret' has adorable illustrations and a host of book titles filled with dinosaur puns that will make any book lover smile.
Beth Rodgers, Author of 'Welcome to Chanu-Con!,' a Children's Picture Book, and Freshman Fourteen' and 'Sweet Fifteen,' Young Adult Novels
*Review originally posted at YABooksCentral.com*
Thesaurus realizes, through his actions, that hiding things isn't the answer. He should be true to who he is and there will be people (or, in this case, dinosaurs) who accept him. He even finds himself a leader of sorts as a result. The book also presents a nice moral in that it captures the power of getting swept up in the excitement of reading about new and interesting worlds that can pave the path to exciting adventures and discussions throughout life.
A sweet and friendly story, 'Thesaurus Has a Secret' has adorable illustrations and a host of book titles filled with dinosaur puns that will make any book lover smile.
Beth Rodgers, Author of 'Welcome to Chanu-Con!,' a Children's Picture Book, and Freshman Fourteen' and 'Sweet Fifteen,' Young Adult Novels
*Review originally posted at YABooksCentral.com*
August 15, 2024
Nice illustrations, but the story was basic, it was extremely predictable.
There wasn't really a single clever moment. A dinosaur named thesaurus could have made for a much more interesting and complex storyline. Also, it is very cheap to just normalize lying rather than think of clever comebacks when the other characters wondered why the dinosaur was busy. Maybe it seems frivolous but having the main character lie to other dinosaurs was a large part of the storyline.
Such plots have a negative influence on children. Telling white lies is not an innocent and normal thing to do and leads to misery. This story glazed over the habit of lying with little consequence
There wasn't really a single clever moment. A dinosaur named thesaurus could have made for a much more interesting and complex storyline. Also, it is very cheap to just normalize lying rather than think of clever comebacks when the other characters wondered why the dinosaur was busy. Maybe it seems frivolous but having the main character lie to other dinosaurs was a large part of the storyline.
Such plots have a negative influence on children. Telling white lies is not an innocent and normal thing to do and leads to misery. This story glazed over the habit of lying with little consequence
December 1, 2020
5 stars
This picture book is near and dear to my heart! I was a child who loved to read from an early age, so I could relate to the main character a lot. It is about a dinosaur who loves words, and secretly loves to read. Thesaurus hides this interest because they think that they wouldn’t fit in with the other dinosaurs if they knew. This book has a very sweet twist at the end that leaves the reader with a warm heart. It is a story about being accepted and celebrated for who you are.
- Miss Emily
This picture book is near and dear to my heart! I was a child who loved to read from an early age, so I could relate to the main character a lot. It is about a dinosaur who loves words, and secretly loves to read. Thesaurus hides this interest because they think that they wouldn’t fit in with the other dinosaurs if they knew. This book has a very sweet twist at the end that leaves the reader with a warm heart. It is a story about being accepted and celebrated for who you are.
- Miss Emily
October 1, 2022
Exceedingly cute with gentle illustrations, this is a book about a dinosaur who loves… books! While a big part of the book deals with him trying to hide his secret of loving books because he’s afraid the other dinosaurs wouldn’t understand, when he is discovered, the other dinosaurs gather around and ask to hear more of the story. It’s very cute and endearing, and we loved looking at all the pictures of dinosaur parents and babies cuddling together for story time. The colors are brilliant but a bit dilated, but it’s a wonderful choice for a quieter book that deals with shyness.
May 29, 2023
There's so much to love about THESAURUS HAS A SECRET, including its endearing dinosaur characters and entertaining titles for dinosaur books featured throughout this fun read. Not to mention the clever, humorous pacing of text with art, delightfully expansive vocabulary, and relatable feelings and situations. If you're looking for a picture book that serves up dinosaurs galore, the thesaurus in action, the joy of reading, social interactions and acceptance, as well as the lure of storytelling, you're in for an irresistible read!
October 23, 2022
Thesaurus loves to read and hides this from the other dinosaurs. He snuck away all the time and enjoyed many books (don't miss the hilarious play on book titles). One day, he discovered the other dinosaurs loved listening to him read. Daily reading times became the norm. Lovely illustrations capture the dinosaur expressions. The text shows that Thesaurus lives up to his name as synonyms are used on every page.
February 19, 2020
Thesaurus is a bit different from the other dinosaurs he knows-- he loves to read! He's always happy to get lost in a book, but feels the need to hide his favorite hobby from his friends, worried he's too different. I love the soft illustrations and all the different dinosaurs-- and the book title puns of this dino's favorite books gave me a great laugh!
December 2, 2021
My librarian's heart LOVES this book! The story is super cute; a dinosaur who loves to read, and discovers their friends love to listen to stories. The text is laid out well with the illustrations to tell the tale, and you can actually read the titles on the books! I adore how on one page the dino is reading 'Dinosaurs love tacos'. So clever and cute!
February 11, 2022
Oh my, how CUTE! This one might even make a great gift for someone gearing up for their Junior/Senior years of taking the SATs and ACTs. Because it's a story that centers on a secret love of reading and how that continual reading naturally grows your vocabulary. No, it doesn't come right out and say this, but it's an easy read-between-the-lines book that is quite adorable!
February 18, 2023
Very cute story for kids who love to read and also love dinosaurs. If this had been published prior to my retirement as a children’s librarian, I would have used it often in storytimes. Very cute pictures and story, and might even work in a classroom where a teacher was introducing the Thesaurus to class for the first time.
July 10, 2020
An adorable, delightful, and magnificent picture book! A great read aloud combining dinosaurs and books about reading. Love the nods to great literature in the illustrations. (Jurassic Mansfield Park?!?!) A book for kids and adults alike.
September 27, 2020
Just read it’s adorable and sweet and amazing
October 7, 2020
OBSESSED with the dinosaur pun book titles.
November 29, 2020
Lots of fun and illustrations with so many punned titles will make it appeal to both older students and parents and teachers.
December 15, 2020
SO. CUTE.
December 19, 2020
Thesaurus is worried about what the other dinosaurs will think when they find out he like to read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2020
I like how it gets kids excited about learning new words.
January 6, 2021
Clever story with beautiful colorful pictures that is sure to appeal to dinosaur lovers.
January 22, 2021
Super cute story and adorable illustrations. Great for fans of dinosaurs and books! Great read-aloud for 4-7 y/o.
January 25, 2021
Cute story with puns and synonyms. A fun read, be prepared to have to explain the larger vocabulary to your child.
January 27, 2021
Really adorable book that teaches a love of reading and words!
January 27, 2021
I loved the punny dino-related book titles! Readers should definitely take the time to look them over closely.
January 29, 2021
A book-loving dinosaur has a big vocabulary.
February 10, 2021
Dinosaurs and books!!
February 17, 2021
oh my gosh this was ABSOLUTELY PRECIOUS
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews