Setting the Astrosaurs series in wacky motion is this caper that is—literally and otherwise—out there. Though small-brained, the title dinosaurs were smart enough to escape into space before a meteor allegedly struck Earth, and have settled on planets in the Jurassic Quadrant. Astrosaurs are "heroic herbivores" tapped to work for the Dinosaur Space Service to "fight evil and protect the innocent!" Teggs Stegosaur, named captain of a new spaceship, the DSS Sauropod
, gets his first mission: to deliver the Vegetarian Sector's top athletes to the Great Dinosaur Games, "the biggest space sports contest ever
." Yet obstacles abound. After blowing a hole in the Sauropod
, evil carnivore raptors kidnap two of Teggs's passengers—lead contenders in the head-butting competition. When Teggs delivers the ransom and retrieves the athletes, it finally looks like smooth sailing ahead. But no! The villains have planted bombs in the head butters' skulls, which will explode if they collide. Cole injects some comical banter, such as when Teggs growls to his raptor enemy, "I'm not ready to become a stego-burger just yet.... it'll take more than a couple of corny carnivores like you to take my ship!" Corny is the operative word here. Zany black-and-white cartoons, large type, plenty of spot art and a simple story line make this fitting fare for reluctant readers, especially those with a fondness for dinosaurs—and silliness. More fun is in store with The Hatching Horror
(0-689-87842-7), due out the same month. Ages 8-12. (June)
