Jack's Mega Machines: The Dinosaur Digger

This book, second in a series, combines two subjects close to many boys’ (and possibly some girls’) hearts: diggers and dinosaurs. For this reason alone it is likely to appeal to youngsters, but the cartoon-style illustrations will add to the reader’s enjoyment, as will the free ‘digger’ inside, although as it is made of paper it is unlikely to be robust enough for sustained toddler play. The story is a simple adventure wherein Jack, along with his dog Riley, and with the help of his digger, enters a magical land and rescues a troop of baby dinosaurs from becoming dinner for a T Rex. The undemanding story line will not matter to the young reader, but the adult may find it, and some of the text, a little wearisome and clumsy after repeated readings, although the reader will enjoy the digger ‘stunts’ enabling the rescue. What at first reading may appear to be overly technical vocabulary reveals the authors’ understanding of their audience, for it is not uncommon to come across the digger fan who can use technical vocabulary such as ‘pistons’ and ‘excavator arm’ with confident understanding.