Dino Dad
Andy Day, illustrated by Steven Lenton
Puffin Books

Dinosaur daftness to delight comes in the form of a Dino-Dad-Day spent with six year old narrator, Ruby Thumb, her little sister Indiana (Little Indie for short) and their dad, who is a dinosaur expert. Mum, a rare animal photographer, is at work. The adventure takes place on a Saturday and is precipitated by Indie consuming some of Dad’s ‘prehistoric’ porridge then going into his study during a game of hide-and-seek and roaring while they waited for him to clear up a gooey porridgy mess.

When Ruby gives chase, she discovers that her little sibling has vanished. As a result Dad then reveals something he’s always kept quiet about : Ruby is a POOPA – A Protector Of Our Prehistoric Allies – so too are Dad, Mum and Indie. Dad suspects Indie touched his magical ammonite shell when in his study and has accidentally been transported to Dinnotropolis.

Time for Dad and Ruby to use their special POOPA powers and go to her rescue. So begins a madcap chase to discover Indie’s whereabouts before she creates too much havoc on that secret island

and get her safely home before Mum returns in the evening.

Penned by CBeebies host Andy Day, with terrific black and white illustrations by Steven Lenton at almost every turn of the page, this is ideal for younger newly confident readers as well as a fast moving read aloud for those around Ruby’s age.