Rappy the Raptor: An Upbeat Picture Book About a Rhyming Dinosaur with a Dino-Size Beat for Kids (Ages 4-8) - Hardcover

Gutman, Dan

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0062291807 ISBN 13: 9780062291806

Publisher: HarperCollins, 2015

Synopsis

Meet Rappy the Raptor, a velociraptor who speaks in rhymes all of the time, whether it’s morning or noon, October or June. Now, how did it happen that he started rappin’? Well, here’s Rappy’s story in all its glory!

New York Times bestselling author Dan Gutman and New York Times bestselling artist Tim Bowers team up for a funny, warm dinosaur book that is sure to have readers snapping their fingers and tapping their toes! Parents and kids alike will love bopping along as Rappy learns to embrace his unusual way of speaking in this upbeat picture book with a dino-size beat.

What makes this rapping reptile’s story a read-aloud favorite?

• A Hilarious Rhyming Story: Meet Rappy, the velociraptor who can’t stop bustin’ a rhyme, no matter the time!
• Perfect for Reading Aloud: The dino-sized beat and catchy rhymes will have parents and kids alike tapping their toes and rapping along.
• A Message of Self-Acceptance: A funny and warm-hearted tale that helps kids learn to embrace what makes them unique and "perfectly normal."
• Funny Story for Kids: Follow Rappy from his treetop home to a silly check-up at the doctor’s office in a story that will have everyone giggling.

About this title

About the Authors

Dan Gutman is the New York Times bestselling author of the Genius Files series; the Baseball Card Adventure series, which has sold more than 2 million copies around the world; and the My Weird School series, which has sold more than 37 million copies. Thanks to his many fans who voted in their classrooms, Dan has received nineteen state book awards and ninety-two state book award nominations. He lives in New York City with his wife. You can visit him online at dangutman.com.

Tim Bowers has illustrated over thirty children’s books, including the New York Times bestsellers Dream Big, Little Pig! by Kristi Yamaguchi and Dinosaur Pet by Neil and Marc Sedaka. His artwork has received much recognition, including the Children’s Choice Award and Junior Library Guild selections. Tim lives with his wife in Granville, Ohio. You can visit him online at www.timbowers.com.

From the Back Cover

I'm Rappy the Raptor and I'd like to say, I may not talk in the usual way.

Meet Rappy the Raptor, a velociraptor who speaks in rhymes all of the time, whether it's morning or noon, October or June. Now how did it happen that he started rappin'? Well, here's Rappy's story in all its glory!

With catchy rhymes and a dino-sized beat, Rappy the Raptor is sure to have you snapping your fingers and tapping your toes as you read along.

Reviews

PreS-Gr 2—Everything about Rappy, who speaks only in rhyme, suggests that he is cool—from his baseball cap turned sideways to his skateboard-cool clothes to his contemporary slang ("I'm rappin' with my peeps"). He believes that he started talking in rhyme after plummeting out of his tree house and hitting his head following a foolish attempt to fly as a baby dinosaur. His upbeat and silly rhymes showcase Gutman's zany humor while advancing the story: "My parents freaked out;/they didn't know what to do./Should they take me to the doctor?/Or take me to the zoo?" After a longer-than-anticipated stay at the hospital along with numerous indignities ("The doctors looked me in the eye/and looked me in the ear./ And I'm not ashamed to say/they even looked me in the rear"), Rappy finds out that he was born speaking this way. In this straightforward way, Gutman celebrates the importance of individual differences and self-acceptance. Bowers's bright illustrations, featuring dinosaurs with oversize heads and wearing human clothing, perfectly complement the tone of the story. VERDICT A cool addition to most collections.—Sally James, South Hillsborough Elementary School, Hillsborough, CA

Edition details

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 2015
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0062291807
• ISBN 13: 9780062291806
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Bowers Tim
• Number of pages: 40