Thesaurus Has a Secret

Readers may know about “fearsome T. rexes, nimble Iguanodons, and great-horned Triceratopses,” Glazer writes in the opening of her delightful paleontology spoof. Now, behold the blue Thesaurus, who does all the same stuff other dinosaurs do, “just with a wider vocabulary” (“What a beautiful sunset—so magnificent, resplendent, awe-inspiring,” says the sweet-tempered word-lover). But while Thesaurus fits in fine among his fellow terrible lizards, there is the matter of that titular secret: he’s a voracious reader who believes that “reading just wasn’t something dinosaurs did.” In mixed-media illustrations colored in cheery pastel hues, Thesaurus becomes so swept up in one of his beloved books (“Pterosaur Pan”) that he begins reading aloud—and discovers that, far from condemning or shunning him, the other dinosaurs form the first story time circle (“What happens next?” a rapt green dinosaur asks). Glazer meaningfully conveys how one can feel out of step with even the most benign mainstream—and how wonderful it feels to be not just accepted, but appreciated. Ages 4–8. [em](Oct.) [/em]