Wilhelm uses dinosaurs to explicate his very modern tale about a young dinosaur named Boland who finally outsmarts the bully that had terrorized the swamp. Boland seems to be the special target of Tyrone the Horrible; day after day, he is victimized. He tries to avoid trouble, tries pleasing Tyrone, tries fighting back, but nothing works. Finally, Boland laces a sandwich with red pepper and gets a wonderfully satisfying reaction when Tyrone gobbles it up! Preschool and early elementary youngsters will certainly identify with Boland's problem.
Boland and his dinosaur pals are not overjoyed when Tyrone tags along on a week-long camping trip to Swamp Island. Living up to his reputation as a troublemaker, the unscrupulous Tyrone cheats at every game and ends up winning all the prizes. Children will cheer when the sneaky dinosaur unsuccessfully tries to steal Boland's buried treasure and instead gets his just deserts. As always, Wilhelm knows what will tickle the funny bones of young readers; they will snicker at Tyrone's dreadful behavior, shifty eyes and caustic tongue. Ages 6-8.
Boland's teacher tells him to take some books to Tyrone's house. Tyrone is a big bad Tyrannesaurus Rex who likes to bully Boland. There, Boland learns why Tyrone is such a bully.
