The dinosaur citizens of Jurassica are in a panic when a mob of misshapen mutants and reptilian cyborgs from the pirate ship Blackrot rampages through the Imperial Palace, making off with the famous Jewels of Jurassica. The President calls in Captain Raptor to pursue the evildoers. Raptor and his fearless crew give chase through the galaxy until their starship Megatooth is blasted by the pirates. They crash-land on a deserted moon where they apprehend a spying scoundrel named Bloody Bart Scalawag, who sports a hook for a left hand and claims he was left behind by the pirates. Can Raptor trust him? Methinks not. Each page of this handsome action-filled comic book-style picture book is laid out in glossy panels, with boxed narration and terse dialogue that oozes testosterone and danger. When you read aloud a picture book like this, figure out how you want each character to sound. You are the reading role model for your kids. They’ll love imitating your voices for characters like the stalwart Captain Raptor and the sneaky, sniveling Bloody Bart. The first book, Captain Raptor and the Moon Mystery is another treat for readers to pore over and act out.

Themes: ADVENTURE AND ADVENTURERS. ASTRONAUTS. CARTOONS AND COMICS. DINOSAURS. EXTRATERRESTRIAL BEINGS. PIRATES. SCIENCE FICTION. SPACE FLIGHT.