Ages 5-9 Reinforced binding

When veggie-nibbling Grazers and meat-

munching Biters take to the soccer field, it’s a showdown

of prehistoric proportions.

Diplodocus shows an herbivore’s soft touch and strikes first for the Grazers. But Gallimimus takes a pass from the twin Pterodactyls on the wings and finishes it off to even things up for the Biters.

In the second half, Apatosaur scores the go-ahead goal for the veggie-side, but then a brawl results in red cards for both teams. Hungry to tie the game, Biter Allosaurus takes advantage. Now it’s 2-2, setting up the teeth-gnashing, claw-curling final minutes. . . .

Praise for Dino-Hockey by Lisa Wheeler,

illustrations by Barry Gott

“Gott’s action-fi lled paintings amplify the sports moves and the players’ comically exaggerated

expressions, from the scowling face off between T. Rex and Tricera to the

jubilant postgame celebration, covered by eager dino newscasters.“

—Booklist

Lisa WheeLeriLLustrations by barry Gott

t Carolrhoda Books Minneapolis • new York

To aunt Betty and all her grandkids.

love, l.w.

For rose, Finn, and nandi—B.G.

Text copyright © 2009 by lisa wheelerillustrations copyright © 2009 by Barry Gott

all rights reserved. international copyright secured. no part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without the prior written permission of lerner publications Company, inc., except for the inclusion of brief quotations in an acknowledged review.

Carolrhoda Booksa division of lerner publishing Group, inc.241 First avenue northMinneapolis, Mn 55401 U.s.a.

website address: www.lernerbooks.com

library of Congress Cataloging-in-publication data

wheeler, lisa, 1963– dino-soccer / by lisa wheeler ; illustrated by Barry Gott. p. cm. summary: plant-eating dinosaurs face meat-eating dinosaurs in a

soccer match. isBn 978–0–8225–9028–6 (lib. bdg. : alk. paper) [1. stories in rhyme. 2. dinosaurs—Fiction. 3. soccer—Fiction.]

i. Gott, Barry, ill. ii. Title. pZ8.3.w5668din 2009 [e]—dc22 2008039197

Manufactured in the United states of america1 2 3 4 5 6 - dp - 14 13 12 11 10 09

eISBN: 978-0-7613-5698-1

dinos huddle up at noon.

soccer game is starting soon.

here come herds of soccer fans

and dino-moms in minivans.

decked in colors, proud and bold—

BITERS blue and GraZers gold.

Their uniforms are loose and bright.

Their socks hold shin guards nice

and tight.

Time to warm up legs and tails.

Bend those legs, and stretch those scales!

The ref jogs in to do his part.

a coin is tossed. The Grazers start.

ankylosaurus makes the pass,

a sneaky side kick through the grass.

he zigs. he zags.

he scampers ’round.

The two defenders

stand their ground.

leso traps it with his feet.

although he’s small,

his moves are sweet.

a pass to diplo—off he goes!

he sneaks the ball past goalie toes.

he makes the first point of the day.

The Grazers fans shout “hip-hooray!”

a quick reset. no time to stall.

Biters’ turn to move the ball.

T. rex travels, yard by yard,

then stegosaurus checks him hard.

side by side ’til stego steals.

watch out! Two wingers on his heels.

with wicked wings and clever claws,

the Pterodactyls take the ball.

one winger makes an outside shot.

There’s Gallimimus on the spot.

Then Galli takes it to the net.

score! This game’s not over yet.

The second half has just begun.

Blocked by Biters, pachy runs.

her soccer cleats have lost their tread,

but pachy likes to use her head!

The ball goes up. Tricera spikes it.

The ball deflates . . . and no one likes it.

The Grazers seem to be in charge.

apatosaur is looming large.

The ball sails through the goalie’s hands.

The fans go crazy in the stands.

They love their teams. They’re having fun.

it’s Grazers—2 and Biters—1.

T. rex attacks. he’s on the move.

a pass to Raptor, nice and smooth.

little leso, light and small—

a shoulder charge! he steals the ball.

he dribbles left. he dribbles right.

Compy tackles—dino fight!

Both players get a penalty.

red cards from the referee.

The Biters whine. The Grazers pout

as both the brawlers sit it oUT.

The Pterodactyl twins advance

toward Grazers’ goal. They see their chance.

pass to Allo. Comin’ through!

a perfect shot! it’s 2 to 2.

here comes Galli! Quick and sure,

she weaves between each dinosaur.

Gallimimus kicks it fast.

iguano’s grazing on the grass!

The gold fans groan and stomp and roar.

iguano goofed! The Biters score!

as Grazers spirits all deflate, the winning Biters celebrate!

They wave their flags and roar with glee.

They end the year with victory!

But wait and see . . .

Get your tickets, one and all!

next season, they’ll play Dino-ball!

Printed and bound in U.S.A.

About the AuthorAward-winning author Lisa Wheeler lives in Trenton, Michigan, where she has met hundreds of kids who play soccer and has been asked hundreds of times to “Please, please, please write a dino-soccer book.” (“Here you go!” she says.)

When Lisa isn’t writing about stegosauruses in shin guards, she is sprinting around the country visiting schools, standing at podiums, and eating airport snacks. Learn more about the author and her books at www.lisawheelerbooks.com.

About the ArtistBarry Gott lives in Cleveland, Ohio, and is the illustrator of several children’s books, including Dino-Hockey and What DO Teachers Do (after YOU Leave School)?.

Barry spent much of his childhood playing soccer and also playing with toy dinosaurs, but never at the same time. He is now working to correct that.

Jacket illustrations © 2009 by Barry Gott

t Carolrhoda BooksA division of Lerner PubLishing grouP

241 First Avenue North . Minneapolis, MN 55401www.lernerbooks.com

When dinos roam the soccer field, Grazers and Biters go for the goal.