What if a brachiosaurus needed braces? If a tyrannosaurus used toothpaste, would it squash the tube? A young child on the way to a dental checkup wonders if dinosaurs ever had cavities and if they had to brush their teeth, floss, get braces, and use fluoride or mouthwash. This whimsical picture book includes eleven common terms related to dental and oral health, along with a glossary of name pronunciations and fun, scientific facts about each of the eleven dinosaurs mentioned in the story. It takes an imaginative, humorous look at dinosaurs' dental health and eases children's fears about going to the dentist, while cleverly encouraging them to take care of their own teeth.
Patrick O'Donnell is a writer and children's book author who lives in Boyertown, Pennsylvania, with his two sons.
Erik Mehlen is an illustrator who has received awards from the Society of Illustrators. He lives in San Antonio, Texas.
'A good way to learn words that at a young age will be unfamiliar but interesting' - Healthy Books, 2018
This adorable sing-song project has just enough dinosaurs to make it fun and just enough dentistry to calm a worried young mind. With this bright, lighthearted, and fast-paced book, O'Donnell and Mehlen accomplish exactly what they set out to do: create a connection that softens the stress of a first dentist visit. Plus, they get extra points for taking the time to add a comprehensive educational list/overview of the dinosaurs mentioned and the dentistry terms touched upon. (Ages 5-8) -- Midwest Book Review, Children's Bookwatch