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Cover of Dinosaurs and all that rubbish

Dinosaurs and all that rubbish

First published 1993 · 32 pages

A gentle, classic fable that transforms a ruined world into a green paradise through the stomping power of teamwork.

What it feels like

Reading this classic picture book feels like unearthing a time capsule that remains strikingly relevant today. It moves at a brisk, engaging pace, carrying the reader through a simple but profound fable about greed, environmental destruction, and the joyful work of restoration. The mood shifts beautifully from the grimy, bleak consequences of industrial ambition to a bright, earthy, and uplifting celebration of nature's resilience. The prose is straightforward and earnest, perfectly suited for reading aloud, allowing the sweeping, expressive illustrations to carry the emotional weight of the story. It is a perfect fit for young readers discovering the importance of caring for the planet, as well as nostalgic adults who cherish a hopeful, cooperative vision of Earth belonging to everyone.

Mood
  • uplifting
  • nostalgic
  • gentle
  • earthy
Tone
  • earnest
  • cautionary
  • hopeful
  • playful
Pace
brisk
Themes
environmental stewardship · the folly of greed · collective action · nature's resilience · second chances
The writing
Simple, direct, and fable-like, relying on straightforward storytelling to deliver a timeless message.
The arc
Moves from the bleak consequences of foolish ambition to a joyful, harmonious restoration of the natural world.
Who it's for
Young readers and nostalgic adults who appreciate gentle, classic environmental fables with a hopeful, cooperative message.
Content notes
  • environmental destruction

About the book

Dinosaurs have taken over the Earth! They're stomping and stamping all over the place. Young readers will love finding out why in this classic environmental tale from best-selling author/illustrator Michael Foreman. A fable for our time, and as relevant today as it was when it was first published in 1972.

Description from Open Library.

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