Reviews for How do dinosaurs learn to read?
Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
In the latest addition to the long-running, bestselling series, Yolen and Teague's rascally dinosaurs learn to read and enjoy books despite their sometimes-inappropriate antics.Yolen's signature, inquiry-based rhyming text begins with the titular query, "How does a dinosaur / learn how to read?" In response, a series of rhetorical questions are posed, each indicating an unsuitable behavior or reaction when a new reader might be struggling, frustrated, and discouraged. "Does he use his new book / as a shovel or bat? // Play fetch with the dog? / Throw books at the cat?" Silly ("jump on the book"), sometimes rage-filled ("have a big hissy / when reading skills fail") conduct eventually leads to the inevitable series of contradictions. "Noshe's kind to each book, / to the cover and pages. / She reads very carefully. / Never has rages." Respectful care for books is emphasized so that reading a good story can be enjoyed again and again with calm, determined patience. Humorously exaggerated depictions of nine different angry, irritated, ill-tempered (and enormous) dinosaurs quickly revert to happy, willing, and satisfied expressions (highlighted in the endpapers) as new readers succeed to end the day peacefully, each falling asleep with a book in bed. A practical addendum offers sensible strategies for caregivers to coach their new readers following parental read-alouds, including learning letter sounds, sounding out words, using picture cues, repetition, and rhyming words. An appealing approach, as ever filled with humor and common sense. (Picture book. 5-7) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Horn Book
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
In jaunty rhyming verse, this series entry follows the childlike dinosaurs as they demonstrate how not to approach reading (e.g., chewing books and throwing tantrums) followed by what they should do: handling books gently and patiently sounding out words. Warm illustrations humorously accentuate the little-kid behaviors of the giant dinos living alongside normal-size human caregivers. Learning-to-read tips are included. (c) Copyright 2019. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
School Library Journal
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
PreS-Gr 2-Yolen and Teague are back with another installment in their dinosaur series, this time tackling learning to read. All of the expected elements are here, including short, rhyming, query-style text; a series of inappropriate behaviors, including frustration when attempts to read fail; the adults reinforcing appropriate things that the dinosaurs do: treating the books right, trying hard, and wanting to read "one more." This title goes further still, and provides reading tips for parents and some exercises for children in the back. Yolen's concise, humorous text scans well, and the story moves along at a rapid clip. She knows her audience and includes accurate behaviors while incorporating things sure to tickle little funny bones. Teague's dinosaurs are huge, appealing, and expressive, yet accurate in appearance. The full-color, full-bleed spreads pop and are viewed equally well close-up or from a distance. They include lots of movement and small clever touches, and, as always, the adults are all human, and smaller than the dino-children. VERDICT This is an incredibly popular series, and this title is a worthwhile addition. Librarians, teachers, and parents alike will find this book useful and in high demand.-Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
