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5 Minutes for Books–Three Picture Books by Jane Yolen

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This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

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 Galaxy

Hot 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 Musings

UPDATE 4:00pm–There are actually four winners for the Pregnancy book and five for the Hot Stuff, so I have updated the winners list.

Reader Interactions


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88 Comments

  8. My oldest son is just getting ready to enter kindergarten and is into dinosaurs, so I would love “How do Dinosaurs go to school.”

    Reply

  15. 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.

    Reply

  25. 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!

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  28. 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?!

    Reply

  29. 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! 🙂

    Reply

  33. 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!

    Reply

  43. We love the Dinosaur series, and would love this newest installment. I didn’t realize she had written other books — I will have to look into them!

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  48. My boys love the book How Do Dinosaurs Go To Bed. I’m sure they would also love the book How Do Dinosaurs Go To School.

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  68. The Boy loves those dinosaur books and we don’t have the one you’re promoting here. We’d love a copy! Thanks!

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  73. How Do Dinosaurs Go to School – my 5 year old would love that book – starting school next week AND he loves dinosaurs.

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  82. How do Dinosaurs go to school is my first choice- My DD is starting Kindergarten this year, and my DS will be in a couple years and loves Dinosaurs, so it would appeal to both! thanks!!

    Reply

  84. My second daughter is starting school in a couple of weeks and we’ve had some issues with her pushing and shoving other kids to get what she wants… The How Do Dinosaurs Go To School book looks like it would be wonderful to help her understand how to be respectful and kind to her friends. Thanks!

    Reply

  86. I’d have to say that How Do Dinosauers Go to School would be my choice. DD starts Preschool Tuesday. Yipes!! They grow so darn fast!

    Reply

  88. My oldest grandchild is starting Kindergarten next week and How Do Dinosauers Go to School looks like a great book. I’m sure that we have read other books by this author from our library so I know she’ll really enjoy it. Thanks for a chance to win.

    Reply