• Age: 8 to 12
• Grade: 3 to 7

Two orphan dinosaurs hide their forbidden friendship. Confronted by long-clawed bullies and pushed to follow the herd, they overcome mudslides, treachery and toothy predators. Trusting each other is the hardest.

Paula Louise Salvador's profile page

John Bindon specializes in illustrating prehistoric life. He has also worked on dinosaur exhibits for museums and theme parks and on animation projects for Discovery Television and Walt Disney Feature Animation. John is the illustrator of Monster Fliers. He lives near Toronto.

John Bindon's profile page

• Winner, Independent Publisher Book Awards

QUILL & QUIRE:

"With the lovability of The Land Before Time and the accuracy of an encyclopedia, Trygg the Dinosaur is an immersive tale set in the Western Canada region over 76 million years ago. The early chapter book follows the adventurous pursuits of two young dinosaurs who – despite the fact that they’re from rival species – form an unlikely friendship.

Trygg, a member of the predatory Troodons, may be smaller than his peers and have no family, but he’s tenacious and has thrived. One day he encounters Alta, a gentle, plant-eating hypacrosaurus, at the lakeshore. Alta is not only small, her injured leg and parentless state have left her an outcast among her tribe.

Faced with an unforgiving landscape, hunger, and banishment, Trygg and Alta struggle to survive. As alliances and outside pressures threaten to tear the two apart, the friends’ bond and ability to work together end up saving their respective herds in the face of impending drought.

Author Paula Louise Salvador, a science documentary filmmaker, consulted with many experts to paint an accurate picture of these long-ago dwellers and the harsh landscape upon which every action counted toward life or death.

Vividly rendered, the full-page pencil sketches by illustrator John Bindon allow readers to visualize how these dinosaurs actually looked.

 

The chapters are short and compact, putting young readers at ease with an non-intimidating format. Trygg is an immediately lovable underdog and his companion Alta is a loyal friend who risks being punished as a traitor while trying to help others. Even in a world so far removed from our own, we can see ourselves in the friendship, and the need to belong." Reviewer: Nicole Abi-Najem

 

BRONZE AWARD Juvenile Fiction 2019 INDEPENDENT PUBLISHER BOOK AWARDS.

 

READERS’ FAVORITE: 5 STARS OUT OF 5:

 

A delightful story about the strength of friendship between two dinosaurs. Trygg is newly hatched… As he ventures out on his own, he faces bullies and struggles to teach himself how to hunt. Then he meets Alta who, like him, is a misfit. Alta is the outsider of her herd, without any parents and hampered by a foot injury.… The two form an unlikely friendship (…) and struggle to survive in a harsh environment. ?A sweet read for children of all ages.... Great characters (…) overcome their fears and discover bravery they didn't know they were capable of. “?Salvador breathes such life into this world (…) by making Alta and Trygg (…) characters children will love…. Stunning illustrations…. Salvador’s tale of friendship is a true testimony to standing up for others and finding your own bravery…. A story full of heart, with an inside look at the dangerous world of dinosaurs.” Reviewed By Liz Konkel for Readers’ Favorite, 2019

 

IndieReader RATING 4.8 OUT OF 5:

 

"Author Paula Louise Salvador and illustrator John Bindon earn top marks forcreating an imaginative dinosaur story that will tug the hearts ofchildren, parents, and teachers ... Together, they've created a lovable story ... Opposites attract in a bittersweet middle grades novel about orphaned dinosaurs -- one a tiny carnivore, the other a huge herbivore. Salvador deftly alternates Trygg's and Alta's early childhood tales of loss. This rhythm changes and the heavy emotions lighten when the two meet and become loyal, got-your-back swamp playmates. Salvador gives her charactershuman conversation, emotions, and personalities. Bindon'sblack-and-white illustrations capture these personality traits as wellas realistic dinosaur anatomy." - Alicia Rudnecki for IndieReader

 

"I'm Oliver and I LOVE THE BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS BOOK IS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Oliver, Age 11

 

"In 'Trygg the Dinosaur', the Cretaceous of North America is brought to life in a dramatic way that is nevertheless based on the astounding results of scientific research." Dr. Philip J. Currie, Canada Research Chair, Dinosaur Palaeobiology, University of Alberta, Canada
"A story with a dramatic finish. A friendly Mesozoic Romeo and Juliet, but with a happy ending. Great illustrations." Dr. David J. Varricchio, Professor of Paleontology, Montana State University, U.S.A.

 

"Cool Book! A lot of fun … character driven, fast paced, and action packed, told in a way that kids will relate to." Ted Staunton, award-winning Canadian author of over forty children's books.

 

BookLife Prize 2019:

 

Plot: A sweet story of unexpected friendship, peppered with facts about the dinosaur age.

 

Prose/Style: The author’s prose is fairly simplistic, which is great for the age group the author’s book targets.

 

Originality: Salvador’s book is very unique and it's perfect for readers on the cusp of adolescence who are still interested in dinosaurs, or who might be experiencing their first challenges in friendships.

 

Character Development: The characters in Salvador’s middle grade novel are unique, since they are anthropomorphic dinosaurs who defy human societal expectations.

"A delightful read-aloud for my children (ages 5 and 6). From the very first chapter, they were hooked! Not only is it a fast-paced, suspenseful adventure that transports us back to the Age of the Dinosaurs, it is a lovely story about friendship, with an interesting cast of characters. The illustrations are appealing and add to the intrigue. This is a wonderful chapter book that would be a great addition to any library." Jessica Nordahl, Teacher/Librarian (grades 2 to 5) Toronto The Power of Friendship: "Trygg" turned out to be a wonderful gift for my young grandchildren. They love this book! Tons of action surrounds the story of two dinosaur buddies with a surprising, unbreakable bond of friendship. The characters are brought to life by the artists' detailed illustrations. An excellent kids' book! R.G., Toronto Trygg and Alta are well-developed characters that readers are able to identify with….(in) real-life situations faced by children around the world. The illustrations are beautiful and help to bring the characters to life…. The plot illustrates the concepts of friendship, loyalty and trust that we all have to face. Furthermore, it deals with bullying, the big topic today in schools, in society, and on the Internet…. It was a fantastic read, and I enjoyed it immensely. Sandy, retired educator

READERS’ FAVORITE

by Paula Louise Salvador

A delightful story about the strength of friendship between two dinosaurs. Trygg is newly hatched… As he ventures out on his own, he faces bullies and struggles to teach himself how to hunt. Then he meets Alta who, like him, is a misfit. Alta is the outsider of her herd, without any parents and hampered by a foot injury.… The two form an unlikely friendship (…) and struggle to survive in a harsh environment. A sweet read for children of all ages.... Great characters (…) overcome their fears and discover bravery they didn't know they were capable of. 

Salvador breathes such life into this world (…) by making Alta and Trygg (…) characters children will love…. Stunning illustrations…. Salvador’s tale of friendship is a true testimony to standing up for others and finding your own bravery…. A story full of heart, with an inside look at the dangerous world of dinosaurs.” Reviewed By Liz Konkel for Readers’ Favorite, 2019