Dinosaurs and All That Rubbish

by Michael Foreman

A man who is determined to build a rocket to reach a star destroys the earth in the process

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Dinosaurs, Animals, Environment, Conservation, 20th Century

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Michael has worked on magazines, book jackets, animated films, TV adverts, and even for the police, sketching criminals described by witnesses. As well as illustrating many of his own books, Michael has illustrated over a hundred books for authors such as Shakespeare, J. M. Barrie, the Brothers Grimm, Charles Dickens and Oscar Wilde. Michael has travelled widely - to Africa, Japan, the Arctic Circle, China and Malaysia, the Himalayas, Siberia and New Zealand - to research his books. "I do a lot of research when I'm travelling - I find it thrilling to discover the particular 'art' of different landscapes and work them into a book. But I find I have to travel by myself, otherwise I'm constantly getting involved in other people's impressions of a place... I try to be invisible when I'm travelling, so I tend to listen in on conversations rather than participate in them - I just want to look and draw."

Reviews

[Jan-Maat]

This is a book that fearlessly exposes the hitherto unexposed connections between rubbish, the endless tons of domestic and commercial waste that we produce, and dinosaurs.

Essentially it is like that classic documentary One Million Years BC , but with better dinosaurs, more rubbish and without Raquel Welsh, or indeed anybody else in furry underwear.

Or perhaps it is a children's picture book in which dinosaurs rise up from beneath the earth to sweep up and dispose of all the rubbish that humanity has produced and the ruins of our industrial society. Then, since dinosaurs are apparently keen gardeners, they turn our plant into a lush paradise, that is somewhat implausibly suitable for both people and dinosaurs to enjoy in harmony, with neither people being eaten nor Sauropod eggs for breakfast in my memory there was an extensive series of pictures showing dinosaurs sweeping rubbish into volcanoes, ripping out motorways like so much old carpet, however upon re-inspection it proved that my imagination had substantially embellished the original in my memory.

Large, colourful illustrations, suitable for younger children.

[Chantal · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little story about dinosaurs cleaning up the earth after mankind ruined it. The art in this book was lovely, however I didn't like the story and I didn't really get it at the end.

This book is in the 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up challenge I am doing.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could be used to teach about global citizenship but it may be a bit confusing for young children as it can be difficult to follow.

[Mimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent enviromental tale.

[Hilmg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Time, everyone, rockets, deglamorizing, billionaire lifestyle and of course rubbish-crushing dinos
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

[Barry Mchugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dinosaurs and All That Rubbish by Michael Foreman
This is a great thought provoking story which can be enjoyed by children of all ages. The pictures are colourful, bright and friendly. Although published in 1972 the message of pollution and the importance of recycling remains the same and is probably even more relevant today.
At the beginning of the story a man sees a star and sets his sights upon it. In order to reach it he has to build a rocket and in doing so destroys his own environment with deforestation to provide fuel for factories, factories everywhere belching out filthy smoke, and piles of waste heaped high everywhere. The man reaches the faraway star but it is disappointed to see that there is nothing of beauty there. All he can see is his own planet far away in the distance. Meanwhile on earth the heat of the smouldering rubbish awakens dormant dinosaurs who had been asleep beneath the earth’s surface. They emerge and are appalled at the state of the planet. They set about cleaning up the Earth. When the man returns he sees that the Earth is a beautiful place and learns valuable lessons about looking after the place you live for everyone to enjoy and share. A simple yet great book for children of all ages to enjoy.

[John Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite books as a child. A man grows envious of the birds and decides to build a rocket to go to the stars. He does this and leaves the planet, but the effort requires so much industry that the Earth is ruined in the process. Awakened by the tremors of all this activity, the dinosaurs, who have been hibernating deep underground, return, and, horrified by the waste they find on the surface, they set about cleaning up all the waste and return the planet to its pristine natural glory. The man, disappointed by what he finds in space, returns to Earth, thinking it a paradise but not realizing until he arrives that it is the same planet that he had left. The dinosaurs only agree to let him back if he agrees to be a better caretaker of nature. A great story for children with a strong ecological and traditionalist message.

[Kornelis Sietsma · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Don't cut down all the trees - where will the birds live?" - my 3 year old.

[Катерина Майковська]

very cute illustrations! great environmental book for kids.

a man pollutes the Earth in order to produce a rocket to be able to travel to other planets. he is not able to appreciate the nature around him and strives for the stars. when he leaves, the dinosauruses wake up and clean the Earth from all the polluting factories, so when the man returns he thinks it is another planet.

[Alison Pinto · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is perfection. The story transcends far beyond the words, used with great economy, to create it, so that it has an almost poetic quality; the ideas inside bursting from within the boundary of the pages. It reads as well today as it did when I first read it 40 years ago; the pictures as jewel-like as they always were. I read this to my 6 year old daughter. We spent 5 minutes reading it, then 45 minutes talking about it.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dinosaurs and all that rubbish is a great picture book for all ages and discusses the importance of sharing the planet and its resources and how we should all take a part in protecting it.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Follows the story of a wealthy, greedy man who pollutes and destroys Earths natural resources in his desire to travel to a distant star. The man journeys into space in his rocket, leaving a barren, rubbish filled Earth behind. While he is gone, the dinosaurs living beneath Earths surface awake, shocked by the desolate landscape they see, they work together to tidy up. When the man returns, he cannot believe his eyes, Earths luscious landscape is unrecognisable, he believes he has found paradise. The dinosaurs only allow the man to come back to Earth once he understands that Earth is to be shared, enjoyed and cared for by everyone.

Wonderful story with a subtle conservation message, teaching children the importance of caring for the environment. The pictures throughout the book are bright, fun and very amusing :)

[Amy Aldridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

The moral of this story in global citizenship, climate change, and the impact of humanity is fantastic. What stopped it being a 5 star review was the story just didn’t seem to flow very nicely, it didn’t draw me in right from the start with interesting characters that a child could relate to, or with stunning illustrations. I think I liked this book mostly because I’m an adult who understands how important this books topic is. I think reading this book aloud with expression and passion, and ensuring to discuss lots of things with the children throughout would be vital. I don’t think this is a book a child could pick up and read by themselves and lose themselves in the story as effectively as other books.
Despite this, I can’t take away from the fact the message this story is conveying is incredibly important for all children to understand.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This rapidly became my daughter's favourite book, and rereading it, I remembered how much I also loved it as a child. Perhaps it explains why I ended up working for an environmental group! I was so surprised by reading the ending as an adult. It feels like a brilliant mindset shift relevant for adults, but actually also works superbly for children who are navigating 'possessiveness'. The environmental destruction is potentially a secondary message for kids, as they probably can't conceive of it. But it is great to have it out there in such an entertainingly wacky way. I love everything about this book, and will set about ensuring all my friends with young kids have a copy too!

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was written in the 1970s (and I definitely remember it from my childhood) yet it is very much relevant for today. It has a strong message about taking care of the earth for all living things. The illustrations are brilliant - lots of stomping dinosaurs smashing up roads and colourful plants. It would be a good class read for older KS1 and even into KS2. There are some scientific inconsistencies (dinosaurs coming back to life!) but that could be addressed with older children. Links to science and geography.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

a great environmental message in this book, appropriate for KS1, around Earth being for everyone (humans and creatures) and needing to be cared for. Allows conversation about pollution, rubbish, cutting down trees etc. (used in class for designing and describing a dinosaur, using descriptive words, and writing set of instructions for the dinosaurs, using sentence starters like first, next, then, finally)

[Old Mummy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very stupid, possibly makes children dumber by reading it....

A man lands on a star as if it's a planet (confusing children about what a star is). Next comes some environmental doom-mongering about how humans are ruining the planet followed by dinosaurs 'awakening' due to the pollution and rubbish on Earth after which the dinosaurs begin trying to destroy the rubbish. Guess we'll litter more now to awaken the dinosaurs. Just idiotic all round.

[Kate Mcwilliams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though this was first published in 1972, the message of conserving our planet remains even more pertinent today. This book excellently explores these issues in a child appropriate way. The bright and bold illustrations make it a joy to read.

[Theediscerning · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is as old as I am, dammit* - so it clearly hasn't worked. But it worked for me.


* The book says it was Copyright 1972, so I will go by that and not goodread's 1973, which makes my sentence a lie.

[Alex Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my fathers favourite book as a child, and he always read it to me. A book far ahead of its time in many ways, and a fantastic one at that...

[Jenna Mills · Rating 2 out of 5]

A positive message but totally ludicrous

[Julie Bramhall · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting take on global warming. My class enjoyed it immensely.

[Nik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this to your child(ren) now!!!!!

[Theo · Rating 2 out of 5]

S apparently loved this as a child.

[Jack Kirby-Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genuinely subversive and radical

[Nathaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't want to have kids, but if I did I would read this to them.

[Syed · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic book which I thoroughly enjoyed. A man dreams of getting to this shiny bright star. He climbs a tree aiming to touch the star, but to no avail. He watches the birds fly high in the sky, nearer to the star than him. He has an idea! He wants to fly to the star. The man owns factories and has many men working for him. He orders them to cut down all the tress and dig out all of the coal from the Earth to build him a rocket, which will then fly him to the star. The fires caused by the factory cause much smoke, pollution, fumes, waste and rubbish, which all piles up ruins the land. The rocket was finally mad, however, there was no clear ground for the launch of the rocket as the men and the factories and made pile of rubbish. The man then takes the rocket to the top of the heap and sets off for the star. When he eventually reaches the star he is rather disappointed. There is nothing for him to see or admire- no trees, no flowers or even a blade of grass. From the distance he sees another star, unknown to him it’s the Earth, where he just came from. Once again, he sets off for the star in the distance. Meanwhile, underneath the piles of rubbish that he left behind, dinosaurs start to wake up and come out to the surface. Much to their shock, they see all the mess that has been caused by the humans. The dinosaurs clean all the rubbish and after working hard they return Earth to its beautiful self. Shortly after, the man arrives, instantly falls in love and calls it a paradise, the paradise he has longed for. The dinosaurs are not going to let him go without teaching a very valuable lesson. They tell the man that this is the same place where he used to live. The man is shocked and asks for a small part of it back, even if it’s just a tree or even a flower. The dinosaur says he can have it all but that he must look after it as it belongs to everyone.
This book teaches a valuable lesson. Humans should take greater care of the world as it belongs to everyone, all living things included. The waste and rubbish is ruining the world. These issues have been highlighted recently, even though his book was written many years earlier. This is a good lesson to all KS1 and KS2 children that we should be conscious of the environment and try our level best to make sure we keep it beautiful, just like the dinosaurs taught us. I highly recommend this book as it is not only a joyous read but also addresses some key moral issues.

[Christian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dinsaurs And All That Rubbish is a fantastic colourful and imaginative take on how to teach young children how important it is to look after the Earth.
Foreman uses unique concepts to bring to life truth about man's destruction of the Earth through industrail development. In the story a man looks into the sky and sees a shining star. He wishes to go and visit this new world in hope to find lushus landscapes willed with wonderful new life forms.
To do this he demands people to build him a rocket and so starts to build many factories which pump out huge amounts of smoke into the air, and ruining the environment with its infrustructure.
When the rocket is complete he shoots off into space to find his new world.
Whilst he is away the ground begins to rumble and ancient Dinosaurs break through the earth crust waking from their slumber.
They are devastated by what they see and set out to remove all the man made roads, pilons, factories to help clean up all the rubbish.
Finally the rubbish is cleaned up and grass and trees begin to grow back and the Dinosaurs are happy again.

Meanwhile on the new world the man arrives only to find that it is barren and bleak with no lushes fields or thick forests. He looks around and in the distance he sees a blue and green planet!
Not knowing it is Earth he sets off again in its direction in hope to finally find a world of natural beauty.

When he lands he is greated by a Dinosaur, at first the man thinks he has found a new planet but is soon corrected by the Dinosaur who is angry that the man destroyed the environment so carlessly.
The man is sad and begs the dinosaur for a small part of the Earth for himself to care for.
Kindly the Dinosaur explains to the man that the Earth belongs to everyone and in turn everyone is responsible for looking after it.

The man and the Dinosaurs go on to live in harmony caring for the Earth.

This book is a clear example to young children about how in todays society the man represents all of us and the dinosaur represents those who care for the environment - trying to teach those who dont understand about the importance of the environment and how its delicate balance of ecosystems need extra care as our human population increases.

[Anna Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story that highlights the self-centredness and blindness of man in the pursuit of his selfish desires; pollution and rubbish covers the earth while he endevours to fullfill his dreams by buidling a rocket that will take him to a distant star.

Upon arriving, it is not the lush (grass is greener scenario) planet that he fantisised about; rather, it is barren and life less. He sees another distant star; his planet that he doesn't recognise as his own. The irony of his blindness is apparent as he sets off and sets to discover IT, still with his take all, share nothing attitude.

Meanwhile (back at the ranch) back on his planet, the dinosaur eggs that were buried and being warmed by the pollution had hatched. The dino's were appauled at the state of the planet and set about cleaning the place up; restoring it, to the lush beatuy that existed before the man began to build his rocket and dream of 'better' places.

The man returns to his planet and doesn't recognise it as his own; though, he recognises it's beauty and wants to claim it. The dino's wont have a bar of it and instead encourage him to understand that it belongs to everyone and its is to be protected, cared for and shared by all.

The story is famtastic but the illustrations are what make the book so captivating and lush!

One of my all time faves!! : )

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book!

There are many themes to explore in this book, but the striking theme is the environment and what people are doing to it. I read this book with a year two class and looked through the different themes and what the children thought. It was really interesting to see what they came out with.

The book is very fun and beautifully illustrated and the children in my class where fascinated by the dinosaurs! It is nice to see children so engaged and interested in our planet and this book was a key tool for getting the children talking about the environment and it gave me lots of ideas of lessons I could do with children.

So not only is it a fantastic story, beautifully illustrated, fun and interesting, but it is also a resource for the early stages of children thinking about their planet and keeping it a safe and friendly place! How fantastic is that.


"it's not my world, or your world, it's our world".