Tyrannosaurus Drip – First Edition – Signed By Julia Donaldson And David Roberts

Author: Donaldson, Julia
Illustrator: Roberts, David
Price: £145
Publisher: Macmillan, London, UK
Publication Date: 2007
Format: Original pictorial boards
Condition: Near fine
Edition: First edition, first impression

Condition:

First edition with the number ‘1’ in the number line. Original pictorial boards. Inscribed on the half-title: ‘For Poppy, with love’ by Julia Donaldson and with a small original drawing by David Roberts. A near fine, tight, clean copy.

Tyrannosaurus Drip: A Short Plot Summary

Overview

Tyrannosaurus Drip is a rhyming picture book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by David Roberts. First published in 2007, it tells a witty and heart-warming story about difference, belonging and bravery. Through humour, rhythm and vivid illustrations, the book gently explores how identity is shaped by both nature and nurture.

Setting and Context

The story takes place in a prehistoric landscape divided by a river. On one side live the meat-eating Tyrannosauruses, large, fierce and blustering creatures who pride themselves on their strength and ferocity. On the other side dwell the peaceful Duckbills, smaller, plant-eating dinosaurs who enjoy quiet, cooperative living among the reeds and water plants.

This clear division of worlds—one side predatory and loud, the other gentle and calm—sets up the central contrast in both setting and character.

Plot Summary

1. The Nest and the Mix-Up

The story begins in the swampy home of the Duckbills. They live happily, building nests and feeding on leaves. On the opposite bank, the Tyrannosauruses roar and stomp about, mocking the Duckbills and vowing one day to eat them.

One day, a Duckbill mother lays her eggs near the river’s edge. Unbeknownst to her, one egg rolls into the river and drifts downstream. The egg washes up on the opposite bank—right into the nest of a Tyrannosaurus family. The Tyrannosaurus mother, not noticing the difference, adds the strange egg to her clutch.

When the eggs hatch, three large Tyrannosaurus babies emerge—followed by one very small, scaly, plant-loving Duckbill hatchling. The Tyrannosaurus parents, oblivious to his true identity, name him Drip.

2. Growing Up Different

From the start, Drip feels out of place. His supposed siblings are loud, rough and perpetually hungry for meat. They roar, stomp, and boast of their might, while Drip is quiet, thoughtful and timid. He prefers the sound of the rain and the taste of plants to the thrill of hunting.

The Tyrannosauruses ridicule him for being “weedy” and “wrong.” They sneer that he never roars properly and scold him for refusing to eat flesh. Their world is defined by aggression and conformity, and poor Drip simply doesn’t belong.

3. The Discovery

As Drip grows, he often looks longingly across the river to where the Duckbills graze peacefully. He hears their gentle calls and watches them munching leaves. One day, he manages to venture to the water’s edge and catches his reflection—realising that he looks exactly like them, not like his Tyrannosaurus family.

This moment of realisation becomes the story’s emotional turning point. Drip understands that he is different, but that his difference might be something valuable rather than shameful.

4. The Escape

After enduring one too many jeers and scolds, Drip decides to escape. With a combination of quick thinking and courage, he leaps into the river—something the Tyrannosauruses fear, as they hate getting wet. He drifts downstream until he reaches the other side, where the Duckbills welcome him with open wings and warm smiles.

For the first time, Drip feels he has found where he belongs. He learns the Duckbills’ ways, enjoys eating plants and joins in their peaceful life beside the reeds. Yet, he hasn’t forgotten the cruel Tyrannosauruses across the river.

5. The Return and the Triumph

One day, the Tyrannosauruses attempt to cross the river to attack the Duckbills. They build a clumsy raft of logs and stomp aboard, roaring threats as they float into mid-stream. Drip, watching quietly, sees their predicament: the raft is unstable and the current is strong.

Using his wits, Drip causes the raft to tip—sending the fierce Tyrannosauruses splashing helplessly into the water. They flounder and roar, terrified and soaked, as they drift away downstream.

For the first time, the peaceful Duckbills cheer not just for survival but for cleverness. Drip has turned his supposed weakness—his small size and calm nature—into strength.

Resolution

With the Tyrannosauruses gone, peace returns to the Duckbill side of the river. Drip is celebrated as a hero, not for violence or might, but for intelligence and bravery. He has proven that being different can be powerful, and that gentleness can triumph over aggression.

The book ends with the Duckbills rejoicing and Drip truly at home among his own kind, happy, safe and loved.

Themes & Interpretation

1. Identity and Belonging – Drip’s journey mirrors that of anyone who feels misplaced or different. The story shows that true belonging comes from finding like-minded souls rather than conforming to expectations.
2. Courage and Cleverness – Instead of physical power, Drip’s quick thinking saves his friends, promoting intellect and composure as forms of strength.
3. Acceptance and Empathy – The Duckbills’ kindness contrasts sharply with the Tyrannosauruses’ cruelty, offering a moral lesson about inclusion and understanding.
4. Nature versus Nurture – Though raised by predators, Drip’s innate character shines through, suggesting that identity cannot be wholly shaped by environment.
5. Humour and Rhyme – Julia Donaldson’s rhythmic text and playful rhymes create energy and accessibility, while David Roberts’s illustrations enhance the emotional depth and humour through expressive, stylised artwork.

Conclusion

Tyrannosaurus Drip combines lively verse, dynamic artwork and a timeless moral about individuality and kindness. Its gentle satire on bullying and conformity makes it both entertaining and meaningful for young readers. The story’s charm lies in its balance of humour, empathy and courage — a celebration of how being small, thoughtful and different can, in the end, make all the difference.

Julia Donaldson: A Short Biography

Julia Donaldson (born September 16, 1948) is a highly acclaimed British author, best known for her children’s books, which have captivated young readers around the world. Born in Hampstead, London, Julia grew up in a family that valued creativity and storytelling. Her early interest in music and literature led her to study drama and French at the University of Bristol, where she further developed her love for the arts.

Before becoming a full-time author, Donaldson worked as a songwriter for children’s television. Many of her early songs were for the BBC’s Play School and Play Away. This background in music and rhyme is evident in her writing style, which often features rhythmic and rhyming text that makes her books especially engaging for children.

Donaldson’s breakthrough as a children’s author came with the publication of The Gruffalo in 1999, illustrated by Axel Scheffler. The book became an instant classic, winning numerous awards and establishing her as a leading voice in children’s literature. The story’s success led to a long and fruitful partnership with Scheffler, resulting in other beloved titles such as “Room on the Broom”, “Stick Man”, and “The Snail and the Whale”.

Julia Donaldson’s books are known for their playful language, memorable characters, and moral lessons that resonate with both children and adults. Her ability to blend humour, adventure, and heart-warming themes has made her one of the most successful and beloved children’s authors of her generation. Her works have been translated into over 75 languages and have sold millions of copies worldwide.

In addition to her writing, Donaldson has been an active advocate for literacy and children’s education. She served as the UK’s Children’s Laureate from 2011 to 2013, during which time she championed initiatives to promote reading among children and support libraries. Her contributions to literature and education have been widely recognised, earning her numerous awards and honours, including an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 2011 for services to literature.

Julia Donaldson continues to write, perform, and inspire, with her work remaining a cherished part of childhood for countless readers around the world.

David Roberts: A Short Biography

Early Life & Education

David Roberts was born on 8 May 1970 in Liverpool, England. From an early age he showed a strong interest in drawing and character-making. He subsequently pursued art and design education, beginning with a foundation course and then specialising in fashion design at Manchester Metropolitan University. After graduating, he spent time working in Hong Kong as a milliner and fashion illustrator, before returning to the UK and refocusing his career on children’s book illustration.

This varied background — from fashion to millinery to illustration — helped him develop a sharp eye for form, gesture, cloth and movement, all of which would feed into his later illustration work.

Career Beginnings

Once back in Britain, Roberts joined the children’s publishing world. He signed with the illustration agency Artist Partners and gradually built a portfolio of work spanning both black-and-white illustrations (often for older‐reader novels) and full-colour picture books for younger children.

His early projects included work for authors of junior fiction, where his wit, dynamic drawing style and ability to capture character really came to the fore. At the same time he developed his own author-illustrator work, most notably the “Dirty Bertie” series, which established his reputation for humour and distinctive character design.

Major Collaborations & Publications

Roberts’s name is associated with some very well-known children’s books and acclaimed authors:

• He illustrated the picture book Ada Twist, Scientist (written by Andrea Beaty), which brought science, curiosity and design to life for young readers.
• He collaborated with the celebrated author Julia Donaldson on titles such as Tyrannosaurus Drip, The Troll and Jack and the Flum Flum Tree, showing his versatility in adapting his illustration style to playful narrative and rhythm.
• For older readers he has provided lively black-and-white illustrations for series such as the Eddie Dickens novels by Philip Ardagh, bringing mischief and movement to the page.
• With his sister Lynn Roberts (also a children’s-book writer), he undertook retellings of classic fairy tales — Little Red: A Fizzingly Good Yarn, Sleeping Beauty and Rapunzel: A Groovy Fairy Tale — where his playful period styling and character energy shine through.

Style & Technique

Roberts’s illustration style is easily identifiable and combines several strengths:

• Expressive character work – Raised eyebrows, exaggerated postures, energetic movement. His figures often seem to be mid-action or caught in a comic moment.
• Strong line and clear form – Even in black & white illustrations for older readers, Roberts uses confident, clean line work, giving a readability and punch to his pages.
• Vibrant colour work in picture books – His full-colour books convey warmth, humour and accessibility. He balances detail with simplicity, ensuring the illustrations appeal to children while retaining professionalism.
• Adaptability – Roberts has shown he can shift style depending on audience: more detailed and text-heavy books for older children; airy, bold colour for early years.
• Humour and narrative illustration – He treats the image not just as decoration but as part of storytelling: facial expressions, background gags, visual pacing all contribute to the narrative flow.

He has commented that much of his work involves heavy sketching, story-boarding and iteration even before final art is produced, showing commitment to craft and process.

Recognition & Impact

• His black-and-white illustration for Mouse Noses on Toast (by Daren King) won the Gold Award in the Nestlé Children’s Book Prize (age 6-8) in 2006, establishing his credentials in the field of children’s illustration.
• His work appears globally and has been translated into many languages, making his style familiar in many children’s libraries and schools.
• By combining humour, engaging visual character and accessibility to children of various ages, Roberts has contributed to promoting reading and visual literacy among young people.
• His collaborations with prominent authors and his own author-illustrator ventures help underscore his reputation as a seasoned professional in the children’s publishing industry.

Publications & Selected Works

Some of his notable works include:

• Dirty Bertie (author-illustrator) – a mischievous character that gave Roberts his early authorial identity.
• Ada Twist, Scientist (illustrator) – helping to bring science and invention to younger readers.
• Tyrannosaurus Drip, The Troll, Jack and the Flum Flum Tree (illustrator) – with Julia Donaldson.
• Fairy-tale retellings with Lynn Roberts – showing his range and collaborative scope.
• The Bolds series (illustrated for Julian Clary) – reinforcing his reputation for humour and distinctive character design.

Personal & Professional Approach

Roberts has spoken openly about his creative routine: he works from home, begins his day fairly early, and spends substantial time sketching, researching and preparing layouts before final artwork. He emphasises that each illustration must serve the narrative and reader’s experience, not just look decorative. His background in fashion design and millinery influences his awareness of posture, clothing and how characters inhabit space.

He is equally comfortable working on the full-colour picture book format and the black-and-white illustrations in more text-heavy books, which shows both technical skill and professional versatility.

Why His Work Matters

• Roberts makes reading visually exciting: his illustrations draw children in, supporting literacy and imagination.
• His ability to engage across different age groups (very young picture-book readers to older independent readers) gives him broad relevance in children’s publishing.
• Through collaborations with major authors and his own original work, he has become a trusted figure in UK children’s literature.
• As an illustrator he bridges the gap between craft and storytelling, showing that illustration is integral to the narrative, character and emotional engagement of children’s books.

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