Judge Kludge

Read approximately 50%

I don't think this book is a bad read. Kids will love it! It is a clean fantasy that delivers strange dinocats and time travel. The problem is that the writing is so clearly aimed for the youngest crowds that I am simply not the audience for this book. Expect very short sentences with very simple grammar and tons of exclamation marks.

While older readers might feel the same way I did, it is certainly great for the youngsters to get interested in reading. Dig in without fear!… (meer)

This is a book about 2 children, Clara and Zeke, who discover a new dinosaur. They form a paleontologist guild, time travel and work hard to prove their discovery. I don't want to give away the entire story so I will keep the description short.
As an adult I could take issue with how they did their exploring. But I read this book with the thought that it is a children's adventure story. While it contains some relevant facts, (which I took as a bonus), it is a fantasy adventure series. In a fantasy children can do many things that in the real world an adult would stop. Situations that are dangerous can be fully explored and the children can take great risk because they can be powerful and intelligent enough to overcome any danger. I believe real life children reading this book would know that you don't do everything you read about or see on tv or in the movies. Maybe I just know really savvy kids.
I had fun reading this book. I like Clara and Zeke. I loved that the author allowed equal opportunity between the sexes in the ability to enjoy science. I love the message that if you work hard you can be anything you choose to be. I liked that the children had confidence in themselves and weren't afraid to stand up for their beliefs. I can remember as a child wanting to correct an adult who had some facts wrong but not doing it. It wasn't polite. As an adult I know I do not know everything. I have learned many things from the children around me. In the book the children know some things that the adults don't have right. They also seek answers from those adults for things they don't know. I like that exchange of knowledge. I enjoyed the children outsmarting the adult villain. The child inside me cheered them on and can't wait to find out what happens next. This is a book I will be sharing with my grandchildren.
I received a copy of this book through the 'Kittysaurus'--Holiday ARC Giveaway $50 Amazon Gift Certificate. Opinions of the book are my impressions. I received nothing nor do I expect anything,(other than the review copy),for my review.… (meer)

I reviewed and loved Kittysaurus 1 so I was definitely looking forward to reading this book. I admit that I was a bit worried, (as I get with all series books), that with such a strong start book two would be a disappointment. I am very happy to say that things I had loved about book one were not lost and Tri-Pizza-Tops was just as entertaining as the first book.
Clara and Zeke are back as is the villain. Clara and Zeke are best friends who have grand adventures learning to deal with arguments and make compromises. Clara opens up the world a little bit by confirming that girls can have interests in science, history and dinosaurs, be intelligent and proud of it, and be a normal kid. The adventures are highly imaginative and thrilling with time travel which we found to be delightful! I absolutely love sharing books that fire the children's imagination. This book definitely did that.
I read the book to three children, (2 boys 1 girl), in my life. The one who enjoyed it the most was the nine year old, (others were 3 and 5), who has loved dinosaurs since he was three. It held the attention of all three though. We read chapters before bed. The story was exciting to them and was fun for me to read. The story did end with a cliffhanger which was harder on the younger children. They all wanted to know when the next book was coming. That was the sign for me that the series will join the ranks with The Magic Treehouse and The Boxcar Children, (both series they enjoy). They have already asked if the books will be on television. I, too, think it has the potential to be a fun series for tv.… (meer)

This is the first book in the Kittysaurus series. It is the story of 2 children, Clara and Zeke, who want to be archeaologists or paleontologists. They start a paleontologist guild and head out to look for fossils. While out in the rain, Clara thinks she finds fossilized footprints of a giant cat. After continued investigation, they find fossilized poop in a fossilized kitty litter pile. They name this discovery, Kittysaurus Rex. This story is a mix of various themes including time travel and scientists who are trying to steal their thunder. They do not always follow all the rules while continuing to support their find, but it is not too bad.

This book is a children's adventure story, and while it contains some relevant facts, it is a fantasy adventure series. In a fantasy children can do many things that in the real world an adult would stop. Situations that are dangerous can be fully explored and the children can take great risk because they can be powerful and intelligent enough to overcome any danger. I am pretty sure, children will not think the events in this story are true or that they should be emulated.

This was a fun book. With the main characters being both a boy and girl, it should appeal to both sexes. A couple of messages within the book about working hard to achieve your goal and that you can be whatever you want if you put your mind and effort behind it as well as standing up for your beliefs and what is right. The one thing I did not like was the way Clara went about correcting her teacher as well as the teacher's antagonistic way in dealing with Clara was a real turn off for me. I do not think it was necessary for the story line.

Overall this is a cute fantasy adventure story of children 8 to 12. I am looking forward to the sequel to see if it continues to entertain. As I read an ARC of this book, I do not know if there are illustrations in the final copy, but I think a few here and there would certainly add to the story and the children's interest.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.… (meer)