5 Minutes for Books–Three Picture Books by Jane Yolen
The second review this week features three picture books by Jane Yolen. Read the descriptions of all three, and then share which one interests you most for a chance to win the book of your choice.
How Do Dinosaurs Go to School? is the latest book in the “How Do Dinosaurs” series written by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Mark Teague. The rhymes are cute, the pictures are clever, and a point is clearly made without being preachy: “Does he 
tease all the girls? Does he pick on the boys? No. . . .A dinosaur carefully raises his hand. He helps out his classmates with projects they’ve planned.”
Another admirable feature is that the dinosaurs are pictured accurately and given their correct names. I was particularly amazed by the furry or feathery looking Segnosaurus (who was featured acting up by grabbing a poor girl’s lunch). Kyle and I have enjoyed reading this one, since he’s starting preschool next month. It’s been a fun way to discuss how he is going to have to behave in the classroom. This book would appeal to boys and girls, ages three up to nine.
Shape Me a Rhyme features some beautiful nature photography from Jane Yolen’s son Jason Stemple. Each shape is described with a poem–sparse words that convey rich meaning. Kyle has enjoyed it because the pictures are bright and the words are melodious, but I think that an older child aged six to twelve would probably appreciate the poetry and the photographs even more.
Baby Bear’s Big Dreams is illustrated by Melissa Sweet and features lively rhymes by Jane Yolen. This time the dreams of a baby bear cub are featured as he imagines what his life will be like 
when he grows up–he’ll be able to stay up late, be surrounded by his friends, and live in a toy shop. Even though the simple rhyming verse and concepts appeal to a young child, the concept of growing up and still wanting to make parents proud will touch every parent’s heart.
The fact that most children look forward to being grown up, and yet realize that there is something wonderful about staying a child is illustrated in the way that that Baby Bear describes “when I grow up”: first it’s about a year, then a year or two, a year or three, a year or four, or a year or five, and then when he returns home to his parents when he’s ALL grown, they will still tuck him into his special bed. This book will appeal to parents as well as children aged two to six.
One reader (in the U.S. or Canada) will win the book of her choice. Just leave a comment telling which book interests you most.
Congratulations to the winners of last week’s books:
Understanding Your Moods When You’re Expecting:
5-Jenna at Kevin and Jenna
1-Stacey at the truest thing
9-Myrna
4-MommaBlogger at Homemaker’s Guide to the GalaxyHot Stuff to Help Kids Cheer Up:
17-Michele at Life in the Old Pueblo
13-Myrna
30-Maemae
28-Susan
9-Laura at Laura William’s MusingsUPDATE 4:00pm–There are actually four winners for the Pregnancy book and five for the Hot Stuff, so I have updated the winners list.
88 Comments
My daughter is starting kindergarten in September, so I would love the dinosaur book!
My daughter would love Baby Bear’s Big Dreams! Thanks for the contest
I think we really need “How Do Dinosaurs Go To School” around this house!!
Shape me a rhyme. I love books like that!
Alright, great new kid books. Shape me a rhyme. Looks neat.
My son would love the Baby Bears all grown up book. Just this morning he was talking about when he’s all grown and 10 years old!
I’d choose Baby Bears’ Big Dreams. It’s looks so sweet!
I’d love to have the “How Do Dinosaurs go to School.” Thanks.
Thank you for this wonderful giveaway. I’d love to win Shape Me a Rhyme.
I have to pick?! That’s like choosing a favorite child!! Wow . .. um .. okay. Fine. If I must, then I pick “Baby Bear’s Big Dreams.”
*sniff* I want them all! You guys have THE BEST contests!! Thanks!
Big Bear’s Big Dreams looks really sweet. The illustrations have a lot going on in them to provoke lots of questions. Oh wait, do I really want MORE questions?!
The Dinosaur book is perfect for my 5 year old autistic son!
I would love how dinosaurs go to school
Oh, definetly the Baby Bear’s Big Dreams my 2 older kids are in a rush to grow up!!! Even if I don’t win, I’ll have to buy one!
“How do Dinosaurs go to school”
That’s my choice! Puleez.
I would love to have the Shape Me a Rhyme book. Enter me Please! Thanks!
I’ve been posting about novels. It looks like fun to post about kids books.
We have been studying poetry. The Shape Me a Rhyme Book looks like a winner:) Thanks for the giveaway!
these look like fun kids books!
I will have to check out big bears dreams looks so cute!
My son would love ALL of those!!!
I love the book Big Bear’s Big Dreams. Please enter me…thanks!
I’d love one of these!
Love the Dinosaur book!
Yolen is an amazing author. I have done book studies with her books when teaching. Now her books are a favorite of my 4 year old son. He LOVES the dinosaur series. As he is about to enter PreK at a public school this fall it would be perfect to ease his fears of going to a new school.
I’d pick the baby bear book for my little one!
How Do Dinosaurs Go To School sounds perfect for us. We’d love a copy.
I’m interested in Baby Bear’s Big Dreams. The dino one is cute too but I don’t have a school aged child.
I love the Shape me a Rhyme one – so unique!
I would love to win “Shape Me a Rhyme.” Thanks!
My kids love dinosaurs so I’d have to pick the dinosaur book.
My oldest son is just getting ready to enter kindergarten and is into dinosaurs, so I would love “How do Dinosaurs go to school.”
Awww how precious!! Would love to win these fabulous books!
I would love “Baby Bear’s Big Dreams” for Lily who is 16 months.
I would love to have “Baby Bear’s Big Dreams”. I’m sure my son would love it!
I think I would love the dinosaur book!
My son loves his “bear friends”, so I think he would love to have Baby Bear’s Big Dreams.
My girls love poetry– I’d go for “Shape me a rhyme.”
I’d love the How Dinsaurs Go to School for my youngest daughter.