Recent Reads: Dinos that Drive by Suzy Levinson

Source: From Librarything Early Reviewers program in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

Dinos that Drive by Suzy Levinson, Illustrated by Dustin Harbin 
Publisher: Tundra Books
Publication Date: September 30, 2025  

 

Format: Physical

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

Buckle up for a raptor race, train-faring Titanosaurs and (gulp) a taxi-driving T. rex in this hilariously whirlwind picture book poetry collection for fans of Richard Scarry and Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site!

You've never seen a dinosaur that's into driving cars? Well, buckle up! Brontosaurus, Triceratops, Pterodactyl and T. rex are all here to show off their driving, flying and diving skills in this riotous, fully illustrated book of poems about dinosaurs and their favorite things-that-go! From flighty Bambiraptor's traffic chopper to hardheaded Pachycephalosaurus's garbage truck to mama Maiasaura's kid-carting minivan, and even to the stars beyond — these dinos on the go have no time to slow down. Each spread is full of fun details for young readers to pore over, but with our intrepid dino guides providing helpful dino facts on each page, you'll never need a GPS again!

Includes dinosaur pronunciation guides for every poem.

Review:

This book was such a good time. It’s all about dinosaurs, but in a fun, whimsical way...you learn about them while they drive cars and go about very human-like tasks and lives.

The pronunciation guides are a great touch (helpful for kids and parents), and the rhyming cadence makes it a delight to read aloud. The large, detailed illustrations give you plenty to explore on each spread, and the occasional longer text sections feel balanced by all the visual interest. 

I especially enjoyed the little dinos who pop in with commentary, they add an extra layer of charm. The recurring T-Rex appearances were fun and as they are a fan-favorite, I think kids will love it too. I actually learned quite a bit about lesser-known dinos as well. 

The imaginative driving scenarios offer a creative way to teach kids about what dinosaurs ate, how they lived, and other fun facts. While some moments are definitely over the top, it all adds to the whimsy.

Overall, I think both younger and older dinosaur lovers will enjoy this one. But just note that it’s a bit on the longer side, so it may not be the quickest bedtime read.