Dinosaurs and All That Rubbish

by Michael Foreman

Interest age: 4 to 5

Published by Penguin Random House Children's, 1972

  • Adventure
  • Classics
  • Fantasy
  • Picture books

About this book

A man gazes up into the sky and longs to visit the twinkling star which he sees in the distance. He is rich, powerful and owns lots of factories, so orders a rocket to be built to take him there, unconcerned about the pollution and waste this generates. His only focus is to reach the star, no matter what the cost.

When at last his rocket is ready, he blasts off into space, leaving behind mounds of burning rubbish. The heat from the smouldering waste wakes the dinosaurs who have lain dormant underground for centuries. They are horrified when they see the state of the planet and quickly set to work, clearing the rubbish to allow the natural world to take over once more.

The minimal text of this timeless picture book is brought to life by gloriously vibrant watercolour illustrations. The tale demonstrates in simple terms that human behaviour has a direct impact on the environment and emphasises that everyone has a responsibility to care for the planet. This important message is just as relevant today as when the book was first published in 1972.

About the author

Michael Foreman’s numerous books for children have earned him widespread recognition as one of the world’s leading illustrators. He has worked with Terry Jones on his previous titles and also writes and illustrates his own books, including War Boy and War Game, which won the Kate Greenaway and Smarties prize respectively. Michael is also the illustrator for many of Michael Morpurgo's best-selling books, including Not Bad for a Bad Lad.

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