How Do Dinosaurs Say Merry Christmas?

How Do Dinosaurs...?

by Jane Yolen, Mark Teague (Illustrator)

Ho! Ho! Ho! With more than 9 million books in print, America's favorite dinosaurs can't wait to celebrate Christmas!

From decorating the tree to wrapping presents, little dinosaurs love to celebrate Christmas-and everything about it. With ornaments on the branches and carolers singing at the door, the spirit of Christmas is finally here and filling the hearts of families everywhere. But when the stockings are hung on the chimney, and the cookies are left out for Santa, how can little dinosaurs go to sleep? It's so exciting! How can they possibly calm down and behave?

Children will laugh out loud as dinosaurs secretly lick candy canes, take sneaky peeks at gifts, and disrupt the traditional family feast.

With holiday surprises around every corner, the award-winning team of Jane Yolen and Mark Teague create an engaging, fun gift sure to be read again and again, year after year. How do dinosaurs say Merry Christmas? The same way they say Happy Chanukah: With an abundance of love, joy, memory, and gratitude.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Dinosaurs, Holiday, Childrens, Storytime, Humor

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Jane Yolen is a novelist, poet, fantasist, journalist, songwriter, storyteller, folklorist, and children’s book author who has written more than three hundred books. Her accolades include the Caldecott Medal, two Nebula Awards, the World Fantasy Award, three Mythopoeic Awards, the Kerlan Award, two Christopher Awards, and six honorary doctorate degrees from colleges and universities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Born and raised in New York City, the mother of three and the grandmother of six, Yolen lives in Massachusetts and St. Andrews, Scotland.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Those (potentially) mischievous dinosaurs, who debuted in author Jane Yolen and illustrator Mark Teague's How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night? , return in this holiday title. With rhyming text and colorful artwork, this creative team explore how their dinosaur subjects behave at Christmas. Do they destroy everything? Or are they good - good enough that Santa brings them something nice...?

The answer to that is a foregone conclusion, but hearing all about the potential reverse, as the author describes all the possible bad behaviors, will be quite entertaining for young listeners, who will also enjoy the bright, colorful artwork that accompanies the text. Only the second book in this series I have read, after the first, How Do Dinosaurs Say Merry Christmas? has the same fun combination of rhyming text and humorous illustration. Recommended to young dinosaur lovers in the market for holiday titles.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute, fun, slightly different sort of Christmas story. Part of the popular "How Do Dinosaurs Say..." series, here we find a bevy of dinosaurs celebrating Christmas. First, all the naughty actions are presented (do dinosaurs sneak peeks at presents or trash the tree?), but these are quickly dismissed as dinosaurs are much more polite than than (they "carol with care" and go to sleep on time). And, of course, little readers can learn from these well-behaved dinosaurs ;-)

For some reason I've never become a devout fan of the series (much as I love dinosaurs) and the illustration style isn't my favorite, but I did enjoy this book and think that many young dino-fans will love seeing these big dinos partaking in Christmas fun.

[Mya · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute Christmas story for little kids!

[Laura (Book Scrounger) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was chosen for Day 10 of my "25 Days of Christmas Books" blog series: https://www.theproblemsite.com/book-s...

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

*4.25

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love all the "How Do Dinosaurs..." books. They're just really cute stories about good and bad behaviors with cute, funny pictures. This one had a Christmas theme which was really cute. I found myself stumble on one or two of the rhymes though, so this one wasn't as fluid as the other books. But still overall a cute book - especially for the dino lover.

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exactly like what you'd expect - but I really like the idea of using it as a way to discuss expected behavior even with all the extra excitement, anticipation and sugar crashes that comes along with the holidays. :)

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Illustrations and rhyming text present some of the different ways a well-behaved dinosaur can celebrate Christmas.

[Julie Ditton · Rating 4 out of 5]

"How Do Dinosaurs...?" is a charming series that addresses appropriate behavior in various situations by examining how dinosaurs might behave (or misbehave) while their human parents look on. It is such a popular series, that I couldn't find this book in my local library branch in December. I recently found both the Hanukkah and the Christmas book, and now I know why this series is so well loved. The books start with the statement that there are many ways to celebrate the holiday and each family probably celebrates differently. The book is written in clever rhymes, asking if they misbehave in a certain way and then toward the end of the book, the reader is told NO! The dinosaurs model good behavior for all boys and girls and dinosaurs. The rhymes are catchy and clever; and the artwork is a pure delight. Each page shows a different family. The amusing dinosaurs are painted in bright, bold colors. The home and the family are illustrated in muted colors and all the humans have a 1950's style with midcalf length skirts, cardigan sweaters and other 50's detail. I am not sure why this art style was chosen, but the contrast is fantastic. I recommend these books for any dinosaur lover or for holiday story time.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Similar to other "How Do Dinosaurs..." books. All the naughty behaviours are listed first - do dinosaurs steal the presents and empty the stockings? etc.

"No. A dinosaur doesn't."

He does all the nice things - eats all his dinner and clears the plates, goes carolling, wishes his grandparents Merry Christmas. etc.

The only part that made me hesitate was the very last line that says, "Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas you good dinosaur!"

The whole "good vs. bad" dichotomy is so last generation, and I can't help but flinch when parents/adults call a child (or dinosaur) good or bad. I'm sure most readers, including kids, would not notice or give a second thought to the "good dinosaur" statement, but especially paired with the idea of getting gifts for being "good" and the image of a dinosaur receiving a big present from their parents just rubs me the wrong way.

Maybe the word "good" could be replaced with something like "sweet," which is less often used as a judgement statement.

[R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a large print short story revolving around dinosaurs and Christmas. It is part of a "How Do Dinosaurs" set that we bought our kids for last month's school book club as they love dinosaurs. My son especially is obsessed with them lately, so this set has been an instant hit. The books are paperback large print, so no as sturdy as board books for small children. The story itself is very simple and keeps to short descriptive sentences for each page spread describing what a dinosaur could do, starting with all the things wrong, and ending with the things a "good dinosaur" will do. My husband has adapted it to asking "is that what a good dinosaur would do?" when the kids are doing something they shouldn't that is covered in this series. They actually will think about it and respond accordingly though, so it's been an effective reinforcement for teaching good behavior.

[Two BookWorms Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the How Do Dinosaurs… books! You might wonder why since, after all, these books are pointing out our faults and telling us, “No, no! You mustn’t do that!” Yet it’s done in such a spirit of caring that we don’t mind. They do not come across as didactic. Instead, we find them funny and can even sheepishly admit, “Yup, I’ve done that on occasion.”

For the full review: https://twobookwormsblog.wordpress.co...

[Sarahs Reads ToKids · Rating 4 out of 5]

How Do Dinosaurs books are a fun series of books for your dinosaur loving young reader. The rhyming text, variety of dinosaurs, and the classic illustration of the parents make this a fun book to read. Quite a few of these books have had my husband and I laughing out loud or remembering a time the exact same thing has happened in our home.

[Beth Leary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute book about how to have manners during Christmas time. Christmas is an exciting time of the year, and this teaches kids what they should and shouldn't do. This is a great book for all ages! We read this book together as a class and discuss what they think is polite and what they do at their house! A great book for young ages.

[Jodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this one up for my little buddy who loves Dinosaurs. It was cute. I liked the illustrations and the flow of the story. Just a fun holiday read to share with the little dinosaur lover in your life.

[Mely · Rating 2 out of 5]

I guess I'm over this dinosaur series. Wasn't particularly interested in the others but thought this holiday holiday-themed one would be a little different. Alas, still doesn't quite meet my expectations.

[AMY · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is full of mischief and merriment as dinosaurs learn how to control themselves at Christmastime. Whimsical, colorful illustrations throughout the book will keep kids attention. There is a lot of dino drama going on there. Highly recommended for Grades K-2.

[Lena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book to my 3 month old as a 25 days of Christmas reading tradition. Naughty dinosaurs -I enjoy these dinosaur series. My friend Cheryl introduced me to them when she gifted me the original How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight book.

[The Book Squirrel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really fun Christmas story. Kids loved the dinosaur antics and then the "correct" behaviour at the end. I thought the illustrations were charming - there is so much personality drawn into the dinosaurs and the decorated trees put you in the Christmas mood.

[Madison LibraryBookFamily · Rating 3 out of 5]

A silly Christmas addition to the well published, How do Dinosaurs series. The naughty actions are discussed with fun illustrations of dinosaurs getting into mischief. They are quickly followed with desired behaviors at Christmas time.

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much appreciate that the dinosaurs’ names are written next to the illustrations. Apart from the kids wanting to know their names, it’s a good example that adults still have to sound out words sometimes.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have ever wondered how Dinosaurs say Merry Christmas, this book will answer all of your inquiries and reveal just how they do it, and put your mind at ease during the holidays. Very informative.

[Krissy · Rating 3 out of 5]

***Read to my son***

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love to read this series with my story hour kids. They love the thought that dinosaurs can do things that they do and the colorful pictures really let them see different types of dinosaurs.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be good to discuss "naughty" vs "nice". Although I hope it doesn't give kids ideas to sneak down and open presents without their parents, like I did one Christmas...

[Raven DeRamus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the illustrations! The concept is so interesting.

[Professor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully drawn dinosaurs that relatively gently (and to many laughs) teach kids about the better ways to behave around the holidays.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute book, but the illustrations were the best part. Love Mark Teague.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun. Cute.

[Lana Kamennof-sine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful kids' board book with lots of laughter and lots of different approaches to the holiday season.
Think this one stays at Grandma's house ;-)