Don't Forget Dexter! (Dexter T. Rexter)

From School Library Journal PreS-Gr 1—Ah, the plight of the well-loved but forgotten toy. For parents, the accidentally forgotten favorite toy brings on a feeling of near terror as well as hysterics from their child. The toy owners experience extreme distress and tears. But what about the forgotten toy? In this story, a cuddly looking T-Rex (Dexter T. Rexter) that has been left behind in the waiting room of a doctor's office speaks directly to readers about his longing for his best friend, a young black boy named Jack. Children are pulled into Dexter's story, from the emotional high when he recites the rhyming battle cry Jack created especially for him, "Dexter Dino,/Stomp through/the swamp./Dexter Dino,/Chomp, Chomp,/Chomp!" to the low when he thinks that he might have been left behind on purpose because he is not as cool as a motorized car or truck. The dino's escape attempts are numerous and amusing, and his eventual reunion with Jack is sweet. The childlike illustrations are primarily orange and yellow and perfectly convey Dexter's ever-changing moods. VERDICT Sure to be loved by young children who value toys over their parent's cell phones.—Sally James, South Hillsborough Elementary School, CA “Ward’s ink, colored-pencil, and cut-paper illustrations give readers a toy’s view of the world and allow children to stomp in Dexter’s feet for a while, his facial expressions giving them lots of clues to his feelings. Readers will be reminded of both Knuffle Bunny and Scaredy Squirrel, but Dexter is a character all his own. Lost and found was never so riotously funny or emotionally draining.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “Ward ( Brobarians ) is as funny as ever as she chronicles her orange hero’s nervous, no-filter state of mind, and her cut-paper, pencil, and ink drawings—with their visual asides, annotations, and shifts in scale—are irrepressible. It’s high anxiety made highly adorable.” — Publishers Weekly “The dino’s escape attempts are numerous and amusing, and his eventual reunion with Jack is sweet. The childlike illustrations are primarily orange and yellow and perfectly convey Dexter’s ever-changing moods…Sure to be loved by young children who value toys over their parent’s cell phones.” — School Library Journal “What child can resist the roar of a dinosaur who needs help? The opportunity to be bigger, braver, and fiercer, than T-rex is irresistible, and in Lindsay Ward’s hilarious direct-address friendship story, it’s irresistible fun…There will be plenty of giggles when Dexter draws his stick-figure portrait, rappels into the fish tank, and melts into a puddle of dinosaur tears. A spirited reading (and singing) will bring the story fully to life.” — Celebrate Picture Books “Oh. My. Gosh! This book could not be more adorable!” — Late Bloomer’s Blog “No dinosaur story time will be complete without Don’t Forget Dexter !…Children will easily connect with the feeling of being alone or will recall those times when they have forgotten friends. Get ready to read it with emotion and humor in your voice and expect requests for it to be read again.” — Librarian’s Quest “Wonderfully cute…A great mix of fun and feeling.” — The Baby Bookworm “This bright colorful book with its large readable text makes for a delightful read-aloud. Losing a toy is a common childhood experience, but I haven't seen it told from this point of view before which makes it a clever way to talk about fears.” — Geo Librarian “Ward’s colorful illustrations, created using printmaking ink, colored pencil, and cut paper, reflect the story well, adding to the fear and tension of being lost and emphasizing Dexter’s smallness in relation to the world around him.” — Randomly Reading “There are so many cute books for kids out there, but this is really one you’re going to want to add to your child’s personal library.” — Christy’s Cozy Corners “Lindsay Ward writes books that just know kids. I love this story.” — Mom Read It “If you are looking for a fun book to share with your children, especially if they love dinosaurs, then you will want to check out this new children's book by Lindsay Ward. It really is a fun book, and the colorful illustrations really bring the story to life. This is definitely one book that your children will enjoy having you read to them over and over again. My girls can't get enough of it, and I know your kids will feel the same way.” — Inspired by Savannah Lindsay Ward was inspired to write this book after her husband texted her a photo of a toy dinosaur abandoned at a doctor’s office. The caption read: “Well, they left me here.” Lindsay thought it was so funny that she sat down to write Dexter’s story immediately. She is also the author and illustrator of Brobarians , Henry Finds His Word , and When Blue Met Egg . Her book Please Bring Balloons was also made into a play. Most days you can find Lindsay writing and sketching at her home in Peninsula, Ohio, where she lives with her family. Learn more about her online at www.LindsayMWard.com. Read more