Al is a T-Rex who likes vegetables instead of meat, and everyone at school can't see that it is a good thing he is different- yet.
Editorial Reviews
"In Stoltz’s (Deer Run, 2016, etc.) funny and anachronistic picture book, being different can save the day—especially if
you’re a vegetarian dinosaur." --- Kirkus Reviews
"The illustrations were fun, though to my eye they looked a little too plain. There didn't seem to be as much detail as I'm used to, but the trick is to see how the children respond to it, and my kids had me read it to them six times in one sitting. They loved the illustrations. Obviously, a home run in their opinion. We were able to sit down and discuss the importance of loving and accepting everyone, no matter the difference in race, skin color, or lifestyle, and they really had a lot to say on the subject. When a book sparks that kind of reaction from children, I'm happy to recommend it to any parent I see.
I thought this was a cute story with an important message to children about being different and accepting those differences. This book doesn't necessarily advocate a vegan lifestyle. It is simply pointing out to children that a person who is different from them is still someone they should love, respect, and celebrate. I thought Ron Stoltz shared a simple, yet powerful message for children. One that they need to understand at a young age in order to combat prejudice and hatred early on in life. Stoltz took a complex message and simplified it in order to teach a valuable lesson to children everywhere. I heartily recommend that parents, elementary schools, and public librarians add this one to their book shelves." C.J. Anaya
"Ron Stoltz’s children’s picture book, Al: The Story of a Vegetarian T-Rex, is one of those rare and splendid children’s books that can quite unexpectedly elicit smiles from even the most tired and jaded adults and cheers from their younger audience. Each page of this tale is an adventure detailing the most curious case of a vegetarian T-Rex. The story is drolly amusing and begs to be read aloud, even if the adult reader doesn’t happen to have an audience available, and the bold and brightly colored illustrations add wonderfully to the experience. Just open up the book and take a look at Al surveying his beloved strawberries, and you’ll see exactly what I mean. Al’s story is a marvelous one, and you don’t have to be a vegetarian to love it, but it probably will thrill a lot of young vegetarians in the making even more so than their carnivorous friends and family. Al: The Story of a Vegetarian T-Rex is most highly recommended." Jack Magnus
"Al: The Story of a Vegetarian T-Rex by Ron Stoltz is a colorfully illustrated tale of tolerance and acceptance. Children need to learn acceptance of classmates and family members who are considered “different.” The language is very succinct and the vocabulary is appropriate for a young age group. Al: The Story of a Vegetarian T-Rex contains a moral lesson important in the development of young readers. Al might be different, but the resolution shows that different is not always a bad thing. I loved the illustrations! A very nice story for young readers." Lisa McCombs
Editorial Reviews
"In Stoltz’s (Deer Run, 2016, etc.) funny and anachronistic picture book, being different can save the day—especially if
you’re a vegetarian dinosaur." --- Kirkus Reviews
"The illustrations were fun, though to my eye they looked a little too plain. There didn't seem to be as much detail as I'm used to, but the trick is to see how the children respond to it, and my kids had me read it to them six times in one sitting. They loved the illustrations. Obviously, a home run in their opinion. We were able to sit down and discuss the importance of loving and accepting everyone, no matter the difference in race, skin color, or lifestyle, and they really had a lot to say on the subject. When a book sparks that kind of reaction from children, I'm happy to recommend it to any parent I see.
I thought this was a cute story with an important message to children about being different and accepting those differences. This book doesn't necessarily advocate a vegan lifestyle. It is simply pointing out to children that a person who is different from them is still someone they should love, respect, and celebrate. I thought Ron Stoltz shared a simple, yet powerful message for children. One that they need to understand at a young age in order to combat prejudice and hatred early on in life. Stoltz took a complex message and simplified it in order to teach a valuable lesson to children everywhere. I heartily recommend that parents, elementary schools, and public librarians add this one to their book shelves." C.J. Anaya
"Ron Stoltz’s children’s picture book, Al: The Story of a Vegetarian T-Rex, is one of those rare and splendid children’s books that can quite unexpectedly elicit smiles from even the most tired and jaded adults and cheers from their younger audience. Each page of this tale is an adventure detailing the most curious case of a vegetarian T-Rex. The story is drolly amusing and begs to be read aloud, even if the adult reader doesn’t happen to have an audience available, and the bold and brightly colored illustrations add wonderfully to the experience. Just open up the book and take a look at Al surveying his beloved strawberries, and you’ll see exactly what I mean. Al’s story is a marvelous one, and you don’t have to be a vegetarian to love it, but it probably will thrill a lot of young vegetarians in the making even more so than their carnivorous friends and family. Al: The Story of a Vegetarian T-Rex is most highly recommended." Jack Magnus
"Al: The Story of a Vegetarian T-Rex by Ron Stoltz is a colorfully illustrated tale of tolerance and acceptance. Children need to learn acceptance of classmates and family members who are considered “different.” The language is very succinct and the vocabulary is appropriate for a young age group. Al: The Story of a Vegetarian T-Rex contains a moral lesson important in the development of young readers. Al might be different, but the resolution shows that different is not always a bad thing. I loved the illustrations! A very nice story for young readers." Lisa McCombs
