Siloam Springs, Ark. – September 11, 2026 -- Author Spencer Patterson has released a new children's picture book, "The Good Pliosaur," that uses a prehistoric underwater rescue to teach young readers about compassion and overcoming prejudice.
Illustrated by Sam Calden, the story is set in an ocean world where long-necked plesiosaurs and short-necked pliosaurs have distrusted each other for generations, despite no longer being at war. The narrative follows Brett, a plesiosaur who believes his species is superior to pliosaurs.
An attack leaves the story's hero trapped and injured
While traveling to bake cookies for his mother, Brett is attacked by deep-sea bandits who steal his pearls and pin him beneath a heavy rock. Two fellow plesiosaurs pass by and refuse to help, each citing an excuse to leave him behind.
A rival species member saves him despite a history of ridicule
Kyle, a pliosaur who has faced mockery from plesiosaurs his entire life, finds the injured Brett. Despite the tension between their communities, Kyle moves the rock, carries Brett to safety and pays for his medical care.
The rescue forces Brett to reconsider the prejudices he inherited from his community after the creature he once dismissed risks his own safety to help him.
"I wanted to create an underwater adventure that children could enjoy while also giving families a way to discuss prejudice, courage and what it means to treat others with compassion," Patterson said. "Kyle's choice shows that kindness is most meaningful when it crosses the boundaries people have been taught to maintain."
Patterson intends the book to spark conversations among children, parents and educators about empathy, bias, forgiveness and helping others across group lines. The title is available in softcover, hardcover and electronic formats through WestBow Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.