WHAT HAPPENED TO PATRICK'S DINOSAURS?

Patrick of Patrick's Dinosaurs comes back to life in this vivid picture book. As he helps his big brother, Hank, rake leaves (under clouds that look a great deal like dinosaurs), Patrick asks Hank where the dinosaurs went. Not satisfied with Hank's explanation, Patrick tells what he thinks became of his favorite creatures. Carrick's masterful drawings--dominated by rich earth tones and featuring a magnificent gallery of dinosaurs--illustrate Patrick's inventive version of the animals' fate. The boy asserts that they were once friends of people, for whom they built houses and invented cars, roads and airplanes. The dinosaurs even put on circus-like shows for people, who became bored and lazy, ""only interested in recess and lunch."" Tired of doing all the work, the dinosaurs built a big spaceship and left, leaving people to take care of themselves. But this was beyond them, and cars, airplanes and circuses gave way to the life style of cavemen. By the time Patrick finishes his musings, the leaves are all raked, and night has fallen. Gazing out at the stars, Patrick tells Hank that the dinosaurs haven't entirely abandoned people. He insists that the friendly beasts ""miss us,"" and ""every so often they check to see how we're doing."" The Carricks have another winner here. Readers of all ages will enjoy Patrick's very convincing portrayal of dinosaurs as faithful guardians of the earth.