
Reach for this book when you are facing a period of intense 'gimme gimme' behavior or when your child is struggling to accept the word no. It is the perfect tool for addressing entitlement and the development of empathy through the lens of a hilariously stubborn protagonist. Lulu is a girl who gets whatever she wants by throwing spectacular tantrums until she decides she wants a brontosaurus for a pet. Her quest into the forest leads to a surprising role reversal when the dinosaur she finds decides that Lulu should be his pet instead. This short chapter book uses meta-narrative humor and multiple choice endings to engage readers aged 6 to 10. It explores themes of boundaries, the rights of others, and the realization that we cannot own or control everyone we meet. Parents will appreciate how it models the shift from self-centeredness to mutual respect without being overly preachy, all while keeping the tone light and adventurous.
Lulu encounters a tiger, a snake, and a bear who threaten to eat her or squeeze her.
The book deals with behavioral issues and entitlement in a secular, metaphorical way. There is mild peril as Lulu encounters wild animals, but the tone remains comedic and the resolution is hopeful.
A 7-year-old who is currently testing boundaries and needs a 'mirror' to see how their demands affect others, or a child who loves dinosaurs but prefers funny, character-driven stories over nonfiction.
The book features a narrator who speaks directly to the reader and offers three different endings. Parents should be prepared to discuss why the 'real' ending is the most meaningful compared to the 'fake' ones. A child screaming, 'I want it, I want it, I want it!' or a child who believes that saying 'no' to them is a personal injustice.
Younger children (6-7) will enjoy the repetition and the absurdity of a girl yelling at a tiger. Older children (8-10) will appreciate the dry wit of the narrator and the clever subversion of the 'spoiled child' trope.
Viorst uses a sophisticated meta-fictional style that respects the child's intelligence. It manages to be a 'lesson book' about manners without ever feeling like a lecture because it is so genuinely funny.
Lulu is an extremely pampered and demanding child who decides that for her birthday, she must have a brontosaurus. When her parents finally say no, she strikes out on her own into the wild to find one. She encounters several animals (a snake, a tiger, a bear) whom she treats with total disrespect. Eventually, she finds a brontosaurus, but the power dynamic shifts: he is much bigger, just as stubborn, and insists that he is the master and Lulu is the pet. Through their interactions, Lulu must reconsider her behavior and learn the value of a true, equal friendship.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
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