New Children's Book Uses Dinosaur-Era Rescue to Teach Kids About Prejudice
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.