cover
On the snowy front sidewalk at late afternoon, Keith and Nicolas stand watching a bundled neighbor in a puffed coat and lumpy hat. Keith waves as the mysterious coat leans forward, a faint ‘Rawr—oops’ puffing into cold breath.
Keith and Nicolas watched new neighbors in puffy coats and boots. A coat whispered, "Rawr—oops," then coughed. "Hi," Keith waved. "Hello," a tall voice answered kindly. Nicolas murmured, "Their hats look lumpy."
In the sunny driveway, Coral in an oversized floppy hoodie catches a rolling red ball from Keith while Nicolas watches, smiling. Soft morning light glints off Coral’s bright blue eyes under long lashes.
A tiny "toddler" peeked from a floppy hoodie. Blue eyes sparkled under long lashes. "I'm Coral," she chirped. "Hi, not rawr." Keith rolled a ball; Coral caught it gently. "Gentle," Nicolas said, grinning.
In the cozy living-room noon light, Mom dinosaur hides beneath a red coat, red gloves, and large sunglasses while Dad dinosaur stoops beside her, scarf pulled high. Keith peers from behind an armchair, whispering about secret tails.
Mom wore red gloves and sunglasses. Her long lashes framed light brown eyes. Dad, tall and brownish green, hid under a scarf. "We love snacks," Mom said brightly. Keith whispered, "Their coats hide tails."
In the dim garage lit by a single overhead bulb, the rainbow-buttoned humming box glows beside stacked paint cans. Dad Dinosaur closes the door gently while Nicolas leans closer, eyes wide, and Keith listens, finger to lips.
In the garage, a box hummed, rainbow buttons blinking. "Time machine," Nicolas read. Dad closed the door gently and sighed. "We’re T-rexes," he murmured, hazel eyes kind. Keith nodded, whispering, "We can keep secrets."
In the bright playroom afternoon, Coral raises a tiny palm toward Keith for a dino high-five while Mom dinosaur stands nearby demonstrating an airy ‘Rrr—hello’ whisper-roar. Sunbeams stripe the rug and highlight their soft smiles.
Coral taught dino high-fives: soft palms, no claws. "No biting," Mom added. "Only air-nibbles." Dad demonstrated a whisper-roar: "Rrr—hello." Keith tried it, giggling. "Perfectly polite," Nicolas declared, bowing.
Under warm kitchen lights at lunch, a table becomes a galaxy picnic: broccoli trees, nugget meteorites, and fruit asteroids on colorful plates. Coral bounces on a chair while Dad Dinosaur politely dabs Keith’s ketchup mustache with a napkin.
They made broccoli trees and nugget meteorites. Coral bounced. "I love fruit asteroids!" Mom crunched carrots very, very softly. "Best picnic," Keith said, ketchup mustache shining. Dad dabbed napkins like a fancy waiter.
Inside the softly glowing time machine, ringed with whirring lights, Nicolas grips a chrome rail while Coral giggles from a cushy seat. Dad Dinosaur points to the blinking clock that just jumped forward one minute, neon reflections dancing on faces.
Dad lifted the tarp, revealing whirring lights and comfy seats. "Look, don’t push," he reminded. They hopped forward one minute; the clock blinked. "Time tastes like peppermint," Coral decided. Keith laughed; Nicolas high-fived everyone.
In the bright hallway mirror light, Mom dinosaur balances a dainty purse while adjusting her hat, lashes fluttering. Nearby, Dad Dinosaur practices small tip-toe steps in tiny shoes as Keith applauds, demonstrating a perfect silent wave.
Practice time: hats, scarves, and teeny shoes. Mom balanced a purse, lashes blinking bravely. Dad tried small steps, strong jaw focused. "Wave, don’t roar," Keith coached. Nicolas added, "Smiles beat snarls."
At the quiet park corner under soft morning clouds, Coral slides slowly down the green playground slide whisper-roaring ‘Whee.’ Nearby, Dad Dinosaur, still disguised, gently catches a stray soccer ball while Nicolas claps from the benches.
At the park, they chose the quiet corner. Coral slid slowly, whisper-roaring, "Whee." A soccer ball zoomed; Dad caught it gently. "Nice save," Nicolas called, clapping. Keith waved; the costumes fooled everyone.
Inside the dark bedroom during a thunderstorm, Mom dinosaur hugs shivering Coral on the bed while Keith projects shining flashlight stars onto the ceiling. Soft lightning flashes through the window, illuminating their gentle smiles.
Thunder boomed; Coral shivered. Mom hugged her, eyes warm. "A space rock came; we traveled," Mom whispered. "Now we’re safe," Keith said, shining flashlight stars. Nicolas hummed a sleepy song until thunder faded.
On the brightly lit school stage at evening, Coral stands front-center clapping twice while leading the gentle Dino Dance. Behind her, Mom dinosaur twirls in a flowing skirt and Dad Dinosaur tips his hat to cheering shadows in the auditorium.
The school show welcomed families. They danced a gentle Dino Dance, tiny stomps. "Clap, clap," Coral led, smiling wide. Mom twirled; Dad tipped his hat. Keith and Nicolas bowed as the crowd cheered.
In the sunlit living room afternoon, Keith and Nicolas kneel beside a towering cardboard museum display labeled 'Time Machine' while Coral adds a crayon heart to the 'Kindness' exhibit. Scattered markers, tape, and scissors lie across the carpet.
Back home, they drew a cardboard museum. Exhibit A: time machine; Exhibit B: kindness. "We protect secrets," Keith said. "And learn together," Nicolas added. Coral whispered, "Friends stomp softly, forever," and everyone smiled.