You Can’t Be a Pterodactyl!

I was delighted to illustrate You Can't Be a Pterodactyl! Written by James Breakwell and published by the Penguin imprint Nancy Paulsen Books on July 25th 2023.

I had so much fun working on this title! It's the debut picture book written by the inimitable and hilarious James Breakwell. I absolutely LOVE this book; it's funny, heartfelt, cute and features flying prehistoric reptiles. What's not to love? I love it so much I even dedicated it to my own dear flying dinosaurs Tilly and Freya the cockatiels. They kept me company while I worked on it, before they both passed away of illnesses shortly before its release. Their memory will always inspire me, and I hope in turn this book inspires others with its wonderful message of staying true to yourself, and supporting the those you love with their goals and dreams.

Click here to read an interview with the author James Breakwell via Publishers Weekly. You can order the book now from and all good book shops and via the Amazon links below. I also have some copies on hand so please send me a message if you’d like to buy a signed copy!

Amazon UKAmazon.com
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Reviews

"Seeing [Tommy] achieve the essence of his dream is just as satisfying as watching his father join in his fantasy while, no doubt, figuring out how Tommy can realistically achieve his ambition. There's gentle humor as well as warmth in both the text and the appealing digital illustrations. An engaging picture book for reading aloud." --Booklist
"Kids will cheer the satisfying, makes-perfect-sense ending. This empowering story is all about having seemingly unattainable goals and being lucky enough to have supporters willing to help achieve them. Tommy's a sweet, realistic, albeit dreamy, character; his dad, a model, caring parent. The colorful, somewhat stylized illustrations are lively and humorous. . . . Affirmation that you can have dreams the size of a prehistoric flying reptile." --Kirkus Reviews
"Colorful and cleverly detailed illustrations move the action along to the happy ending . . . This gentle story will appeal to dinosaur fans with dreams of their own." --School Library Journal
"Corrigan's bouncy, cartoonlike illustrations feature simply drawn characters, with color and shading providing depth. . . . . Whether it be dino lovers or fans of prehistoric flying reptiles (as Tommy reminds us, pterodactyls are not dinosaurs), this story speaks to anyone who dreams of the seemingly impossible." --The Horn Book

You Can’t Be a Pterodactyl! Book