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Dinos Don’t Give Up!

by Smriti Halls, illustrated by Richard Merritt

Interest age: 4 to 5
Reading age: 4 to 5

Published by Little Tiger, 2022

  • Picture books

About this book

Dinah the Diplodocus is a bit of a star: she finds everything easy, from baking to learning the alphabet. And, even though Dinah always wins at everything, she also has tons of friends because she’s nice enough to help others out when they don’t understand something, and she cheers them on when they do.

So, when a surfing competition comes to town, Dinah assumes she’s going to be tip top. All you have to do is hop on the board, right? Yet, when surfing doesn’t go her way, Dinah realises that perhaps there are some things that she needs support to do – including a great big cuddle from her friends.

This is a book that’s perfect for the kid who tends to excel at most things: sometimes, when those kids come up against something that doesn’t come naturally, there can be frustration at the relatively new experience of not ‘getting it’ straight away. Halls’ gentle rhyming text makes sure to celebrate Dinah for all her wonderful qualities, and remind us that all we need when the going gets tough is a hug and a bit of encouragement – exactly as Dinah gives to her friends without hesitation.

Richard Merritt’s bright, eye-catching illustrations make a jolly and sweet, summery book with a kind message about resilience and caring.

About the author

Smriti Halls is an award-winning, critically acclaimed children's author, published in more than 30 languages worldwide. Her books include #1 bestseller I Love You Night and Day, I'm Sticking with You, Elephant in My Kitchen and The Little Island.

With a cast of characters as varied as mischievous monsters and disgruntled geese, she explores relationship and identity; the personal and the political; how it feels to be in your own skin - and in someone else's. Her books, often fast-paced and funny or lyrical and tender, are always full of heart and hope and speak to the child in all of us.

Smriti also creates bold board books to engage the very smallest readers, young fiction for newly independent readers and beautiful, highly illustrated non-fiction for older readers including the award-winning The Ways of the Wolf.

The Little Island is currently shortlisted for the 2020 Little Rebels Award and the 2020 Teach Primary Awards, while I'm Sticking With You was the Independent Bookshops Children's Book of the Month for August 2020. Her forthcoming picture book Rain Before Rainbows (illustrated by David Litchfield) has been made available ahead of publication in partnership with Save the Children as a free e-book to support their work with families most affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Smriti works widely with children and adults in schools, libraries, festivals, bookshops and prisons to bring a love of reading and stories to the widest possible audience. She lives in London and is also published as Smriti Prasadam-Halls.

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