FICTION

The Legend of King Arthur-a-tops

HarperCollins/Harper. Mar. 2020. 40p. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780062652751.
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K-Gr 2–In typical fairytale tradition, this story begins “Once Upon a Time” in Camelot; the only difference is a hundred million years or so. It features softly colored cartooned dinosaurs dressed in the garb of the Middle Ages. As knight-o-saurs attempt to pull the dinosaur horn from a magical stone in order to receive the kingdom’s crown, a cast of anthropomorphic creatures with names ending in –dactyl, -saur, -atops, or –raptor fill the cast of a tale that follows the growth of a leader and the development of his self-image. His successful show of strength prompts an outdoor feast as “Merlin-a-dactyl crowned Arthur-a-tops…the one true king.” Lest the reader forget what precipitated the historical end of the dinosaurs, there’s a final opportunity to predict an ending as a meteor breaks through hazy skies during a celebratory picnic.
VERDICT With a rowdy cast of characters, this offering offers light humor and encouragement for those who feel imperfect or insecure. A suggested additional or supplemental purchase for younger readers.

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