How Do Dinosaurs Learn to Be Kind?

How Do Dinosaurs...?

by Jane Yolen, Mark Teague (Illustrator)

Laugh out loud as our bestselling dinosaurs learn to be kind despite their sometimes mischievous antics.

How does a dinosaur learn to be kind? Does he roar about everything that is on his mind?

Does he wake up at midnight and make lots of noise? Does he take his big sister’s new shoes and her toys?

NO!!!

A dinosaur knows how to be very kind, always keep other folks firmly in mind.

Being kind can be a little difficult, even for dinosaurs. But with a little practice and some heartfelt humor, our prehistoric pals can develop empathy and compassion for others. Join in the hilarity as the bestselling duo Jane Yolen and Mark Teague teach young readers and dinosaurs that being kind is important and cool!

With over 24 million copies in print, each dino-mite How Do Dinosaurs...? book is a combination of hilarious situations and sing-song rhymes that show young children how to be more successful every day and in every way. The How Do Dinosaurs...? series will help children become confident readers while teaching them little life lessons. And as an added bonus, the names of each dinosaur are hidden on each page. Look for all the bestselling How Do Dinosaurs...? books by Jane Yolen with illustrations by Mark Teague.

Genres: Picture Books, Dinosaurs, Childrens, Storytime, Fiction, Juvenile

48 pages, Hardcover

First published January 3, 2023

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

[Kylie]

My kids are huge fans of “How do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?”, so I was excited to pick this book up from the library. It was pretty disappointing.

The early anti-examples of kindness aren’t helpful/instructive because they aren’t things most kids would even think to do (pushing your grandmas wheelchair to scare her, or hiding your grandpa’s cane in bushes). It’s so extreme. The examples aren’t just lacking in kindness, they’re cruel.

Then the examples of kindness at the end aren’t even examples. Just, in essence, “kind dinosaurs are loved by everyone because they think about others. The end.”

I’m not impressed.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t mind reading these to the Grands. Great illustrations.

[Ronda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read with my K and 1st grades. Dinosaurs are, invariably, a hit. Started by talking about fiction vs nonfiction and how they knew this was fiction. Had students tell what it means to be kind. Had the best luck reading straight through the story then going back to discuss the examples as, frankly, some of the example unkindnesses seemed to confuse some of the students. Some thought pushing granny's wheelchair silly and fast was kind because granny was smiling. Some thought sharing silly stories was just fun even though it was mentioned in the unkind portion. Some were puzzled how splashing in the tub or dropping ice cream could be unkind too. Ultimately, this puzzlement led to good discussion of how some things might not be unkind in general, but could be if done on purpose or with mean intention. Splashing in the tub or in puddles is great if everyone is having fun, but if someone doesn't WANT to be splashed, or we mess someone's clothing up, it's a different story. Dropping ice-cream "on accident" isn't mean or unkind, but when we hurt someone or damage something accidentally, what do we do? Apologize. Ohhhhhh! The discussion was pretty illuminating into how we think--and how our consideration of others vs ourselves evolves. Nice segue to showing the PebbleGo dinosaur database.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not really a fan of this series in general. This one seemed even more phoned in, with stereotypical things like white-haired grandpa who has a cane and grandma who needs help crossing the street in her wheelchair (maybe if they didn't look like they were straight from Leave it to Beaver.) I also didn't appreciate that "spilling ice cream on mama's new dress" was presented as malicious, when 9 times out of 10 that would be something a kid did accidentally.

[Lindsey Alley · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book had so much potential.

As other users have noted, there are many examples (twelve, in fact) of how NOT to be kind, several of which require clarification. Is it unkind to spill ice cream on mom’s new dress? That depends. Was it intentional or accidental (as it would be for most children)? Is it unkind to push Grandma fast in her wheelchair? Again, that depends. Perhaps she asked to be pushed fast. And the illustration depicts Grandma smiling rather than upset or scared; so, does she like it or not? While these examples may provide opportunity to discuss the nuance of various situations, the book fails to address the very question it proposes: “HOW do dinosaurs LEARN to be kind?” (emphasis mine).

The book asserts that “A dinosaur knows how to be very kind, and always keeps other folks firmly in mind.” If the dinosaur already knows, then what is to learn? At no point does the book explain *how* the dinosaur learns or discuss learning at all. There is one example of the dinosaur choosing kindness, but against the myriad examples of how not to be kind, it falls flat.

This was an opportunity missed. I would not recommend this book.

[Union County Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is written in Yolen's fun rhyming style with the amazing simple illustrations we have come to expect from Teague. In the story we learn that dinosaurs think kindness is very important. This is a laugh out loud book that gives us a look at how treating others the way you would like to be treated is always the best idea. A fun experience for children and adults alike. It would be a fun one to share with your favorite toddler.... or grown up! Check it out! Suggested for ages 3-5.

- Reviewed by Sherri F.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book follows the same pattern as Jane Yolen's other books in the "How Do Dinosaurs" series. It depicts dinosaurs doing lots of unkind things to their friends and family asking questions such as, "Does he hide grandpa's cane in a faraway bush?" Then ends with all of the things the kind dinosaurs actually do, such as helping his grandparents across the street.

This would be great for a storytime on kindness to make children laugh and then talk about ways they can be kind to their own friends and family.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, M liked this one and says her school also has a copy.

I don't really love it, because it lists lots of unkind things in a row without explanation, before you get to the "No! A dinosaur knows how to be very kind..." spin. Also some of the mean things are things that M may not yet have encountered or thought of, which is always something I try to avoid in a book - example "Does [the dinosaur] hide Grandpa's cane in a faraway bush?". I think they're supposed to be sort of outlandish things that kids will laugh at and be able to identify easily as unkind, but it's really just not my style.

[Paula Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a great example as to how to teach your child about kindness. Being kind can be a little difficult, even for dinosaurs. But with a little practice and some heartfelt humor, our prehistoric pals can develop empathy and compassion for others.
Sure to be a go to book for a majority of children in my classroom, I would read this book during our read-aloud or circle time. It would also be in the classroom library.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well, the sheer number of these, there was bound to be a stumble. Rhymes are painfully terrible, there's more shown of dinos being downright mean than there is of them being kind (the few other of these books I've read are about equal). The line between unkind and mean, and between kind and just...normal are kind of blurry. We liked looking at the dinos on the end papers better than reading the book.

[Nicole Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think we tell kids that they should be kind, but what does that mean in kids' terms? Well the Yolens are here to help. This latest edition to the How Do Dinosaurs... series is an important one: how to be kind. With it's cute/funny illustrations and scientific dinos, this book is sure to help kids learn a little more about what it means to be kind.

[Alex Gruenenfelder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a huge fan of this series of books as a child, and returning to them always brings a nostalgic smile to my face. Though I don't believe I had ever read this one before, my girlfriend and I went through it aloud at the Book Loft in Solvang, to great excitement. Highly recommend to all parents of dinosaur lovers, who can connect to themes of kindness and socialization in a funny and easy way.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually love the How to Dinosaurs books but this one missed the mark. The book spent a lot of time on the negative behaviors (to the point that one of the students I was reading to book to said "I don't like this book") and then glazed over the good behaviors in a rush. This one is a pass from me.

[Kate M. Colby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack borrowed this book from the Oxford Public Library. I picked it because he loves this series. This afternoon, I pretended to read the book and he climbed up on the couch and cuddled next to me to read it. He loved the dinosaurs and thought they were so funny. My only wish is that it had less naughty behaviors and more examples of kind, polite dinosaurs.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Scholastic, Inc.
Yolen and Teague bring the dinosaurs back to help young readers learn to be kind. The rhyming text works well with the illustrations. They emphasize how not to behave before offering kind examples to finish the book.

[Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

“He is laughing like I did to Caleb and that’s not nice. I like when he was being nice to his new friends a lot. I like learning new dinosaurs and being nice” - Luke

We had to get a book on being kind because Luke was NOT kind to his friend this week. - Mama

[Tara Byrd · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is cute. It gives a lot of examples of how NOT to be kind. There weren't as many examples of how to be kind. I read it to my seven-year-old and she even said it could have had more in it. Not a bad book overall, but not sure it is one I will keep in my library.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are fabulous in this rhyming picture book. Different scenarios are presented, and the question is asked if that is the way a dinosaur behaves. The answer is NO, and the good behaviour is shown.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Large text, which is great for storytime. Love how the dinosaurs are portrayed - all kinds of colors, some are furry, etc.

Charonosaurus has some great legs, I'm just saying! LOL

[Lisa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Cute book for young kids about being kind.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are instant hits every time. Yolen does it again!

[Leova Manbhat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great addition to the series.

[Y.Poston]

cute manners w/ dinosaurs

[Jes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read with Yuna.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read one of these in what feels like forever. I forgot how much I enjoyed the sing-song rhythm of the rhymes.

[Cathy Ogren · Rating 4 out of 5]

If your kids love the "How Do Dinosaurs" series by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague, they will love this one, too.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Focusing on negative behaviors doesn’t seem to be a very effective way to teach kindness, especially with a clunky rhyme scheme, but the detailed dinosaur illustrations are dy-no-mite.

[Tracy Mabry]

Not bad, but not my fave in terms of read-aloud potential!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are children! I think maybe the dinosaur is a metaphor for the child reading the book? I enjoy the bright colors and patterns on the dinosaurs.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of my first 'How do Dinosaurs' book and it didn't really jell with me. I kind of felt the first part was a bit long and I was waiting for 'the point'.