How Do Dinosaurs Play with Their Friends?

At first it seems a bit precious and contrived in that familiar old kids' book way, but then you flip it and think of the one kid being like "Oooh I wanna give that other kid such a thrashing, but I won't because deinonychus told me that's not what dinosaurs do" and that's pretty cute and pro-social.

This book by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague is a wonderful book for multi-ages. Since this particular version is a board book, I chose it as an "infant/toddler appropriate" version. I like the introduction to a broader concept of how a child acts, and what is a good way to act and how that behavior affects his friends. Once older, this book can be read with more understanding as well, and will be a familiar book to the child, if read repeatedly.

I enjoy this story because it first shows the way you shouldn't be a friend. Then it shares the way you should play with a friend. The pictures are great too because they are activities kids enjoying doing. It then builds on basics of sharing, by going into how to be a good friend.

This book reminds me of young children when they first begin to play together. The dinosaur acts selfish and does not share his toys, but then he learns that it is more fun to share and play together. The rhyming in this story is well done and keeps children engaged with the story. My 3 year old loves this story, which we have with the Leap Frog reading helper.

Great rhythm. Popular with our two-year old.

Another fun read for the kids. I love the story and pictures that are in this book (and the series). My kids giggle at some of the antics that the dinosaur does in this book. I like how kids aretaught a lesson by the end of it which only takes a few minutes to read.

Summary:
This book is about how dinosaurs play with their friends at school, with bad behavior and good behavior. It talks about sharing, pouting, and throwing fits, but then the story turns around and tells about how good dinosaurs shares and is kind to his school friends.

Personal Reaction:
I love this book because it shows great imagination towards children to think about a dinosaurs at school with them. I also love how the dinosaurs are friendly looking and nice to one another. I love the pictures in this book and how the dinosaurs are trying to fit in the desk and swing at school.

Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. I would use this book while we were talking about manners because this book talks about how he wants to share and not want to show more throw fits.
2. I would love to use this book during the week of talking about dinosaurs as well. show less