Dickens & Rumi
Cover of My Pet Dinosaur

film

My Pet Dinosaur

2017

When a young boy named Jake accidentally makes a new friend in an experiment gone wrong a troubled town is plunged into chaos. But with the creature rapidly evolving every day, Jake finds it increasingly difficult to keep his new pet secret. Jake's friends and new girl Abbie realize they are not the only ones interested in this strange, mischievous little dinosaur and soon discover that the only thing more mysterious than what it is, is who is looking for it.

Ages 8+Source checked

Why this age? The PG-rated family adventure involves a child in danger, chaos, pursuit and dinosaur-related peril. The themes and plot are accessible, but younger children may find the action or creature threats frightening. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick context

What parents should know

The PG-rated family adventure involves a child in danger, chaos, pursuit and dinosaur-related peril. The themes and plot are accessible, but younger children may find the action or creature threats frightening. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ. Courage & resilience; strongest caution: frightening scenes.

Readiness snapshotAge guidance: 8+Main watch-out: Frightening scenes 3/5
Recommendation 3/5
Review depth12 scored categories12 evidence notes

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age8+

Strongest cautions

  • Frightening scenes3/5
  • Violence2/5
  • Romance1/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience3/5
  • Creativity & curiosity3/5
  • Good role models3/5

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What’s in it?

Strong language1/5
Why this rating?

Language is limited to mild, occasional expressions or insults consistent with a PG family film; no strong profanity is indicated.

Romance1/5
Why this rating?

Young characters have a very minor, age-appropriate crush or budding interest; romance is not central to the adventure.

Frightening scenes3/5
Why this rating?

Some scenes feature tension and mild threat regarding the creature being hunted.

Violence2/5
Why this rating?

Includes light action, pursuit sequences, and minor confrontational elements typical of family adventure films.

Checked and not flagged

No concern recorded in these categories

These categories were explicitly scored 0/5 in the published review. This is not a guarantee that every edition or reader experience is identical.

Products & advertising · 0/5

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience3/5
Why this rating?

Characters demonstrate bravery while protecting their friend.

Creativity & curiosity3/5
Why this rating?

The imaginative premise of a boy befriending a rapidly evolving dinosaur strongly supports curiosity, fantasy play and inventive problem-solving.

Diverse representation1/5
Why this rating?

The available information supports limited, conventional representation in a family adventure; it does not establish substantial identity or background diversity.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

The experiment and evolving creature may prompt light curiosity about science, but teaching real scientific knowledge is not the film’s main purpose.

Kindness & empathy3/5
Why this rating?

Kindness and empathy toward the creature are central to the plot.

Positive messages3/5
Why this rating?

Emphasizes themes of friendship, responsibility, and the importance of protecting those in one's care.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

Protagonists show initiative and loyalty, acting as generally positive role models.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. Which moment felt most tense or frightening? What helped the characters handle fear?
  3. Which choice in My Pet Dinosaur would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in My Pet Dinosaur, and what caused that change?
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These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

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