The Itchy-saurus

Author: Rosie Wellesley
Illustrator: Rosie Wellesley
Publisher: Pavilion

The biggest creature in the jungle is Tyrannosaurus Rex, who is pretty kind and placid for a carnivorous giant. But everything changes when his green skin becomes red and itchy: he gets very angry and chases, roars and lashes out. Poor T-Rex can’t even scratch all over (his arms are too short!)

Doc Bill (a platypus) hears the angry roars and comes to the rescue of the distressed ‘Itchy-saurus’. He diagnoses a case of ‘T-Rex-cema’. Emphasising the need for patience, Doc Bill bathes Itchy, applies cream and tucks him up. He keeps him busy and distracts him until his skin turns back to green and stops itching.

There’s a sweet comical twist at the end of the book: as T-Rex recovers he becomes hungry again, and the reader is led to believe that he’s going to eat Doc…but instead he hugs and thanks him for his kindness.

We really like this genuinely funny and reassuring book with lovely textured illustrations.

The messages we found in this book:

Acknowledgement:

If you’re in pain or uncomfortable you may get grumpy and angry.
Itchy skin can be distressing for children and may affect their sleep. Not scratching is hard (Bill uses distraction to stop Itchy scratching).

Guidance:

Recovery from illness can be a long process and patience is required.
The book shows Bill using treating Itchy with methods very similar to real life eczema treatments – baths, creams and bandages.

Hope & Inspiration:

Doc Bill was brave, patient and kind. He put himself in danger to help.
Bill gets Itchy involved with his own treatment, teaching him to prepare his medicine. He also encourages him to care for others.