TRICERATOPS STOMP

Triceratops babies have an eventful day after first hatching.

Tucked away on the forest floor is a clutch of eggs. Readers can see tiny cracks beginning to form. Sounds jostle from the pages: “Tap-tap. Peck-peck. Crack. Crack. Crack.” After some picking and poking, out tumble triceratops babies! They “wriggle-wriggle” and “S-T-R-E-T-C-H” as they gain their footing and look at the world around them for the first time. What do these babies want to do? Eat, of course! “Chomp-chomp. Munch-munch. Gulp-gulp-gulp.” But suddenly, a loud “ROARRR!” interrupts their meal. A T. Rex is coming. “Thud-thud. Thud-thud. Stomp. Stomp. Stomp.” The tiny babies don’t know what to do. Luckily, their mother is close by. Never underestimate the protective nature of a mother, even a reptilian one. The layered greens and muted browns of the digital background highlight the tiny red mouths of the babies, who are continuously crying, biting, or yawning—and making a whole lot of noise. Although the dinosaur sounds may be hypothetical (Would they “cheep?” Did they “bellowww?”), dino fans will delight in this onomatopoeic romp. Extra information about other dinosaurs found throughout the story is appended at the end.

Fill your storytime with prehistoric sound.