Picture Book Pick: How Do Dinosaurs Learn To Read?

How Do Dinosaurs Learn To Read?
by Jane Yolen
Illustrations by Mark Teague
The Blue Sky Press/Scholastic
2018
32 pages
ISBN: 978133233018

Available: Jane 26, 2018

The beloved Teague dinosaurs are back and they are amusing and captivating as they learn to read and treat their books with care. Every parent and librarian will love this book for teaching young ones how to turn pages carefully and how to keep their books away from water.

Fans of the dream team Yolen & Teague will love this latest addition to the series. As expected, each dinosaur makes its appearance on the end papers with their names. Reading tips are included.

Highly, highly recommended for every child's personal library. A great addition to any picture book collection.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received the ARC from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

Early Reader Pick: How Do Dinosaurs Stay Safe?

How Do Dinosaurs Stay Safe?
by Jane Yolen
Illustrated by Mark Teague
The Blue Sky Press
2014
40 pages
ISBN: 9780439241045

The charming cover says it all! Kids of any age will smile when they see the giant dinosaur trying to balance his humungous body on a small bicycle while  Mama frantically waves her arms and shouts in the background and the dog happily runs alongside and seems to be enjoying every precious minute. Illustrations by Mark Teague shine throughout the book and each dinosaur is labeled in every two page spread. Dinosaurs featured on the endpapers are having a rocking-saurus great time, and kids will want to point at each of them and recite their names.

Jane Yolen has a knack at captivating young readers with her prose. The playful book teaches kids some general rules of safety: how to dial 9-1-1, to be sure and take a bottle of water on a hike, always wear a bike helmet when riding a bike, hold hands to cross the street, always cross with the light, and never climb too high.

The book shows attention to detail:  the parents depicted are sometimes papas and sometimes mamas.  Kids will beg to read this dinostory again and again. It's so great, parents will find themselves smiling along with their children.

Yolen and Teague have a library of dinosaur books, and kids will want to collect all their titles.

Highly, highly recommended for everyone and dinosaur lovers everywhere.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received the F & G from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

This review has been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)

Early Reader Pick: How Do Dinosaurs Say I'm Mad

How Do Dinosaurs Say I'm Mad?
by Jane Yolen
Illustrated by Mark Teague
The Blue Sky Press
2013
40  pages

Remarkable, inspired  illustrations by Mark Teague will keep young readers entertained. No child will be able to resist Teague's dinosaurs and their bad behavior. Jane Yolen once again crafts an amazing story this time to help kids deal with anger. Even though kids and adults get angry, they can learn to count to ten and calm down.

Young readers will learn the names of each type of dinosaur, too. Yolen's fun rhymes come to life with entertaining and colorful art by Teague. "When Papa says, 'No!' does he (dinosaur) grumble and pout?/When Mama says, 'No!" does he throw toys about?" Not a good dinosaur who has control over his temper. A good dinosaur calms down and says, "I'm sorry."

This quick read is bound to become a bedtime (or anytime) favorite. How Do Dinosaurs Say I'm Mad? is a must have for every child's favorite book shelf.

Highly, highly recommended ages 2-up and anyone who loves dinosaurs.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received the F & G from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

This review has been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)

Early Reader Pick: Waking Dragons

Waking Dragons
Jane Yolen
Paintings by Derek Anderson
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
2012
32 pages

Available October 23, 2012

Quaint, clever, and oh-so-cute Waking Dragons proves Jane Yolen can do anything! Illustrations by Derek Anderson are whimsical and colorful exploding with fire-breathing dragon energy on every two page spread. Dragons take up each spread with not an ounce of wasted space.

Mom leaves her little knight a note to wake the dragons before school, and the young boy wakes them and helps them get ready for their day. The rhyming by Yolen is spot-on and cute. Even when the words don't actually rhyme, Yolen throws in another syllable to make it quirky and get young (and older) readers to smile at the whimsy, "Wipe their faces, runny noses, get into their outdoor clothes-es."

The boy and his favorite dog catch a ride to school on the backs of their dragon roommates, and the dragons, "...get to fly. And fly. And fly." as the boy waves good-bye and takes his backpack up the steps of the school.

This clever picture book is right in time for Christmas gifts and stockings. What child wouldn't want a great dragon book? This will appeal to all ages, boys and girls, who love a great dragon tail (pun intended).

The cover will welcome hordes of young dragon fans and even the endsheets have a smart dragon fire design. The publishers really hit this one out of the park with its delightful packaging.

Oh-so-highly recommended. This is a must-have! Early readers and all ages.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

This review has been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)