Tony Rex's Seven Stomps to Success

By Author / Illustrator

Alex Latimer

Genre

Funny Stories

Age range(s)

Publisher

Andersen Press

ISBN

9781839135903

Format

Hardback

Published

10-09-2026

Synopsis

Starring a suspiciously helpful life coach, Tony Rex's Seven Stomps to Success is a hilarious spoof self-help picture book for children.

Meet Tony Rex, one of Earth's most successful predators and part-time life coach. In Seven Stomps to Success, Tony offers children a unique take on self-help. With killer advice like, 'Stay out in the open where I can spot you!' and, 'Keep hustling, keep moving, keep waving your arms and screaming!' Tony wants you to know: however you are feeling, no matter how fast you run ... he's right behind you.

Learn that even if you're feeling down, you'll always be highly nutritious, as Tony Rex helps you get your life on track... right onto his menu! Alex Latimer's signature humour shines through in this brilliantly funny picture book.

Spread from Tony Rex's Seven Stomps to Success by Alex Latimer

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Reviews

Elen

For dinosaur-loving children, Tony Rex's Seven Stomps to Success is a tongue-in-cheek guide to life and the steps that will help you succeed - or help a (hungry) dinosaur to dinner! From 'don't be afraid to make mistakes' to 'be sure to look after yourself', Tony Rex delivers sage advice - but he also makes it very plain that he thinks the child is 'very nutritious' and makes no secret of the fact that he is hungry!

Tony Rex: Seven Stomps to Success is both funny and a great way to introduce and explore the idea that not all the information we're given or read is trustworthy . . . especially if it's delivered by a hungry T-Rex! The layout - the 'seven stomps' advice list on one side, the story on the opposite page - makes it clear that the advice the T-Rex is giving might be sound, but the goal he has in mind (dinner!) is very different.

The life coaching angle is sophisticated, making this story suitable for children aged 5-8 years, but even younger children will enjoy spotting that gap between the words and pictures that gives the real meaning of the story. Tony Rex: Seven Stomps to Success is a great choice for developing visual literacy, and for giving young dinosaur-loving children a giggle or two!

Picture book / Reviewed by Elen Green

Stephanie

Tony Rex's Seven Stomps to Success by Alex Latimer is a colourful and imaginative story with plenty of personality. I'm not sure the 'life coach' angle is the easiest idea for young children to grasp. But the fact the dinosaur is giving out advice, in a way which he (hopes) will directly benefit him, does lend an amusing angle to the story.

I can see this appealing to little ones who love dinosaurs and enjoy stories with a bit of silliness. Not quite a favourite for me, but a fun addition to a dinosaur-loving child's bookshelf!

Picture book / Reviewed by Stephanie Gladdish