Spencer Patterson's children's book uses an underwater rescue to challenge prejudice and encourage kindness

SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark., Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Author and educator Spencer Patterson uses an underwater conflict between two groups of prehistoric marine reptiles to introduce young readers to themes of compassion, prejudice and loving one's neighbor in the children's picture book "The Good Pliosaur."

Illustrated by Sam Calden, the story takes place in an ocean where long-necked plesiosaurs and short-necked pliosaurs have distrusted one another for generations. Although the two groups no longer fight the wars of the past, resentment and disrespect continue to shape how they view and treat one another.

At the center of the story is Brett, a plesiosaur who takes pride in his long neck and considers pliosaurs inferior. While traveling to underwater cooking vents to bake cookies for his mother, he is attacked by deep-sea bandits who steal his pearls and trap him beneath a heavy rock. Two fellow plesiosaurs encounter the injured Brett but refuse to help, each offering an excuse for leaving him behind. Kyle, a pliosaur who has endured ridicule from plesiosaurs throughout his life, then finds Brett and, despite the history between their communities, chooses to move the rock, carry him to safety and pay for his medical care.

Through Brett's changing understanding of Kyle, the book examines how personal encounters can challenge assumptions inherited from families, communities and history. Brett is forced to reconsider his beliefs after the creature he once dismissed becomes the one willing to risk his own safety and resources to save him.

"I wanted to create an underwater adventure that children could enjoy while also giving families a way to discuss prejudice, courage and what it means to treat others with compassion," Patterson said. "Kyle's choice shows that kindness is most meaningful when it crosses the boundaries people have been taught to maintain."

"The Good Pliosaur" is intended to encourage conversations among children, parents and educators about empathy, bias, forgiveness and the decision to help someone in need, even when that person comes from a different group.

"The Good Pliosaur"

By Spencer Patterson

ISBN: 9798385034925 (softcover); 9798385034932 (hardcover); 9798385034949 (electronic)

Available at WestBow Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble 

About the author

Spencer Patterson has taught English, leadership, and pedagogy at the high school and university level for more than seven years. He currently works as a Teacher Education professor at John Brown University. The author of several short stories and poems, he serves as the editor of "Tabletop Reviews" for the website Geeks Under Grace. He and his wife have four daughters and live in Siloam Springs, AR. To learn more, please visit Patterson's Facebook page, Instagram or https://www.thegoodpliosaur.com.

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SOURCE WestBow Press