I am all for not stepping on a child’s dream, but sometimes, well they are not the most, shall we say, realistic? Sure, you can think of difficult things (did anyone think we would have a biracial president or a woman and one of color as vice president in our lifetimes?) But trying to become an extinct flying reptile? Yeah, that’s a little impossible. But lo and behold in James Breakwell’s book You Can’t Be a Pterodactyl! the character of Tommy and his dad, find a way that one can become an actual pterodactyl. Well, not a real one, but one in spirit. When Tommy finally realizes the why of his wish, he can adapt that into a realistic outcome.
Sophie Corrigan created illustrations of one boy and the teasing he endures, but also the way to live as a pterodactyl. They are colorful, sweet, fun, not overly crowded by has a good collection of details to help move things along. The nice part of the book is that it is not just a story about reaching for your dreams, or being the best you, you can be, but also has some possible facts on the pterodactyl. When people ask such things as. what would he eat, where would he live, or how would he make money, Tommy has answers. This also gives us the theme of thinking things out, working out the problem in a logical manner.
Due late July/early August 2023, I read this via an online reader copy. (And semi spoiler alert, even this old grump likes how Tommy figures out how he can be the one thing he really wants to grow up and be).
