Dino Dear

DEAR TYRANNOSAURUS REX, (Random House, $16.99, ages 4-8) written by Lisa McClatchy and illustrated by John Manders, is reviewed today by Lindy Michaels of BookStar on Ventura Blvd. in Studio City.

How does a little girl turning six years old persuade, of all things, a dinosaur, to come to her birthday party? Well, she writes him a letter, of course! She encloses a map to her house and vividly describes all the fun and games that will ensue, if only he would join her celebration.

“If you come to my party, we’ll play pirates on my play set.
Your tail will make a great slide!”

The colorful and hysterical illustrations illuminate all the fun to be had, if only Tyrannosaurus Rex would show up. And oh, what a puss this guy has!

But would he be big hearted and make an appearance? After reading this delightful book to little ones, don’t be surprised at whom your children might want to invite to their next birthday party!!

The very versatile Lindy Michaels aims to inspire young minds through children’s literature. Lindy owned L.A.’s first children’s bookshop, OF BOOKS AND SUCH (1972-1987) where she did storytelling, taught drama to children, had art and poetry contests and the like. According to Lindy, “It was truly a ‘land of enchantment.” She also spent years lecturing on realism in children’s literature at colleges in the state. For close to five years Lindy has worked for Studio City Barnes and Noble (BookStar) in the children’s section and does storytelling every Saturday at 10:30 a.m.