What This Book Is About
Rex is a dinosaur who has been frozen in a glacier since the Cretaceous. He thaws out sixty-five million years late, into a modern city, and is taken in by Bigfoot the yeti, who has a flat there and years of practice at not being noticed.
Bigfoot coaches him on passing for human while Rex looks for work. The one person not fooled is Sandra, a nine-year-old neighbour, who sets about working out what he really is. Elys Dolan wrote and illustrated the book, and the pages are built out of comic panels as much as text.
Available at Popular bookstores, Kinokuniya, and the Singapore National Library.
Why UWC Chose This Book
Humour is one of the most effective tools for building reading motivation, and Rex delivers laughs on every single page. For Grade 3 students who are still developing their reading stamina, a genuinely funny book is the difference between putting it down after two pages and devouring it in one sitting. The comic-strip format and abundant illustrations also support visual learners and make the 192 pages feel much shorter than they are.
Beneath the comedy, Rex's story carries a theme that resonates strongly in UWC's international community: what it feels like to be a stranger in a strange world. Rex must learn new customs, adapt to unfamiliar rules, and find his place in a society that wasn't built for him—an experience many international school students know firsthand. The book treats difference with warmth and humour rather than anxiety, which is exactly the tone UWC aims for.
Reading Level Guide
Building reading foundations? Start with picture books and simple labeled stories.
Perfect difficulty. Engaging for early independent readers. The comic-strip illustrations carry meaning alongside the text.
An easy, comfortable read. Good for building speed and enjoying every joke.
Other UWC Recommended Books for This Grade
Not sure if this book is right for your child? Take our free English assessment to find their CEFR level, then choose books that match.