Lois G. Grambling

This high-energy picture book written by Lois G. Grambling and illustrated by Judy Love, is engaging! The narrator, a young boy, arrives at school one morning while holding hands with a giant Pterodactyl. On the first page, he asks "Can I bring my Pterodactyl to school, Ms. Johnson? Can I? Please?" This phrase is repeated every couple of pages after the boy describes a scenario in which an everyday problem could be solved and life much improved if only his Pterodactyl were there with him. The first scenario describes a bully, Butch McGurgle (funny name!), threatening to beat him up if he doesn't give him dessert at lunchtime. The illustrations are absolutely great; the Pterodactyl's facial expressions show emotion that fits each situation. One of my favorite illustrations is one with Butch hanging from the Pterodactyl's beak high above the playground as children shade their eyes and look upward. My favorite scenario is when the narrator tries to persuade Ms. Johnson to allow the visit from the Pterodactyl because he'd flap his wings and act like a giant fan to combat the smell of the hot and stinky classroom before summer break. The author uses onomatopoeia with words like "kerplunk," which makes the story fun. I especially appreciate the circular nature of the story, from the first page request for the teacher to allow a Pterodactyl visit, to the last page in which the narrator asks "Can I bring my Woolly Mammoth to school, Ms. Johnson? Can I? PLEASE!?" Students will laugh and talk about what adventures might follow if a Woolly Mammoth were at school. I think most kids from kindergarten through fourth grade would appreciate this modern fantasy picture book. "Dinosaur fans will enjoy the wild scenarios that give the kid wings, power, and fun." (Booklist)… (more)