How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You?

How Do Dinosaurs...?

by Jane Yolen, Mark Teague (Illustrator)

With more than 7 million copies sold, everybody's favorite bestselling dinosaurs are back to say: "I love you," in a VERY big way! Parents and children can never have enough ways to say "I love you"--and now, America's favorite dinosaurs are giving families a funny book, perfect for bedtime, storytime, anytime. Even when little dinosaurs are naughty, it's important to remind them that no matter what they do, they are always loved. In this book, readers will laugh aloud as parents cope with the typical antics of childhood, but in the end, hugs and kisses show your little one how much you care.

Genres: Picture Books, Dinosaurs, Childrens, Storytime, Love, Fiction, Animals

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Jane Yolen was a novelist, poet, fantasist, journalist, songwriter, storyteller, folklorist, and children’s book author who wrote 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 lived in Massachusetts and St. Andrews, Scotland.

Reviews

[Laura]

When compared to one of my favorite bedtime books, How do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight, I feel like the text in this picture book is weak. It's cute for us parents, because it expresses how we love our little dinosaurs no matter what. However, I wish a dinosaur had simply said, "I'm sorry," in this book. Even if it was only said one time, it would have made a much stronger book for children.
Text 3 stars
Illustrations 5 stars

[Simon Wehner]

I've had this book for 4 months but this week I finally realized what a masterpiece it was. Took awhile to get into. But once you're into it, you can't stop thinking about it. It's the first and last thing I think about every single day. I don't really know what it's about though

[Dolly]

The books in this series are always so silly and fun, and the illustrations are fantastic.

The description of cantankerous and fickle toddler dinos is all-too apt for human toddlers, and unfortunately, for late-stage dementia patients, which I have experience with almost daily.

[معصومه توکلی]

عنوان ترجمه ی فارسی:
با این که من دایناسورم
می خوام بگم دوسِت دارم

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer]

I was really bothered by this one. I know that the message is two-fold: here is the right way to show that you love someone (words, hugs, and kisses) and parents will love you no matter what you do. But I can see a kid getting the idea from this that you can get away with all kinds of naughty things as long as you turn around and tell your parents that you love them, or give them hugs and kisses afterwards. Perhaps this should be read to children accompanied by discussion?

[Kat]

Basic plot: Little dinosaurs show their parents how much they love them in many ways.

It's fun being a parent of a little monster, but it can also be frustrating at times. The little ones often do things that are frustrating, but then turn around and do something completely sweet that makes any parent with a heart melt utterly. This book pays tribute to those moments.

The art continues to be quality, with fantastic color and detail. The question/answer format of the series has changed here slightly to descriptions of frustrating behaviors followed by descriptions of sweet behaviors, but it still is very effective. It's quite an enjoyable book to read with the little ones.

[Lorellie]

A cute concept of comparing the behavior of kids to chaotic dinosaurs, but Tot couldn't really tell that was what was going on. I think a kid in a dino costume would have made a lot more sense. The art is alright.

[Knowlton Murphy]

Whew. Someone is chopping onions nearby.

[J]

First of all looking at the dinosaur characters that were included on the front and back pages reminds me that I am old when I really am not. Out of all the dinosaur information that I had when I was younger there is only one that is being used that I recognize while all the others are rather newish while I still have questions whether that bird-one is a dinosaur or not.

Anyway this was my first dinosaur book by Jane Yolen so I had no idea what to think when I picked up the book. Yes supposedly my niece enjoys it but who can say with my fickle reading preferences whether I will agree, disagree or just sacrifice it to the hungry bookcase gods.

Instead I really wasn't a fan of this book. The main character is portrayed as a dinosaur with most of its brutish ways being showcased although timefully interspersed with good acts. And although the unblinking parents continue to love and cater to their bratty offspring it is all just really passed off as being what kids/dinosaurs do best. The message just seems to rub wrong.

The illustrations are interesting in their own way with each dinosaur appearance including the name somewhere along the outline for those who may be interested. The bright colors will attract to children, especially with the patterned dinosaur skin and that is mostly what I can see about it.

Whether the rest of the series is decent or not I cannot quite say but at this point I am not charmed enough to really pick one up if I was presented with a choice.

[Laura McLoughlin]

My 5 year selected this as her prize for finishing the winter reading program at our local library.

Cute book reinforcing that parents will love their children no matter if they misbehave from time to time.

I would appreciate a pronunciation guide for the dinosaur names.

[The Book Squirrel]

I love love love these dinosaurs! In this book, a parent tells their dinosaur how they love them - even when they throw tantrums, a smile and a hug makes it all worth it and love between parent and child overflows.
So sweet! The expressions on the dinosaurs' faces are great!

[Michael]

My daughter actually insists on reading this book to me, and narrating what the dinosaurs are saying in each of the pictures.

[Samiya Lopes]

I have just read the book “How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You.” I suggest this book to many young readers, teachers, or Liberians reading to their little ones. This book to me seems very endearing. The art style is very naturalistic and colorful. Characters that are authentic dinosaurs, another thing about this book that is fascinating is that into the book it shows you the actual names of the dinosaurs that you are noticing in this book. There are many backgrounds in this children’s book that is “How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You” would be a perfect book for the ages of 4-8 A very simple and well-worded organized book like this will have your child very engaged in what they are reading.
This book would be perfect for the ages 4-8 because the book has very humorous scenes with the dinosaurs. Children will find enjoyment in reading this book, the illustrations are very organized and put-together. So your child can read minimized words to there level of reading!

[Kayla]

Appropriate this was my first completed book for the month of February .. the month of loveee ❤️

[Shawn Deal]

A very cute book about raising a dinosaur.

[Cloud]

I'm obviously a big fan of dinosaurs, and Jan Yolen, so this is still a great mash-up.

Baby approves. She rates it 5/5 as well. There are some new dinosaurs that I am not familiar with, that will be fun to look up later in my free time. LOL. Still looking to add more "How do dinosaurs say..." to our collection. Really love the illustrations too.

[Vanessa]

I don't usually review my kids books, but this is one that speaks to me. And has since the first time we picked it up in probably last February or March. My kids love this book, well they love the Dinosaurs, while I love the reminder of what parenthood is about. Heck on particularly hard days I will pick this book up after my kids have gone to bed, just as a reminder.

"You woke in the morning in such a bad mood...then sat at the table and fussed with your food.' (This is every day with my oldest who is not a morning person and is really emotional, especially when tired). 'But then you blew kisses and waved from the door. I love you, I love you my dinosaur.'

For each few pages of dinosaurs wearing the patience thin on those human parents, there is the page of those tender moments when that child that is being naughty or driving you up the wall turns to you with a smile, a hug or kiss, or simply come up and hold your hand. Those moments when you hopefully aren't so worn out that you can't see what they are telling you. It may not change their behavior, but as their parent, it is what keeps you going on some days. I do sometimes feel like I have Dinosaurs stomping through my life, and sometimes our house looks like we have been invaded by them, but those moments are all made worth it because they aren't all the time, and sometimes I need to remember that.

[The Badger]

I love these dinosaur books. When I have "book-dates" with younger students for good behavior, I may possibly maybe sort of kind of lead them towards either the dinosaur books or the Skippy John Jones books.

[Sarah Sammis]

I honestly didn't appreciate these books as much when I was a mother of young children. Dinosaurs as "children" seemed ridiculous to me. Now as an artist who has been painting chickens in human situations, I can see now how the dinosaurs stand in for behaviors that would be shaming if realistic children were depicted instead.

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[Heidi-Marie]

I first heard of this series from my sister-in-law when I was looking at books to order. This is my first to read and I really like the idea of it all. I like the pictures, and the humor in them is great. It's probably a fun way for children to learn about various behaviors and reasons for/behind actions, emotions, etc.

[Stephanie]

My almost two year old loves this series of books! This one is not his favorite, but had a great message for a young learner. The dinosaur makes a few mistakes, but knows, that his family will always love and support him. All of the pictures in the front of the different dinosaurs make my son laugh.

[Becky]

I chuckled all the way through...

[DivaDiane SM]

This is so far my favorite. They are all so wonderful and adorable, cute and gorgeously illustrated, but the "moral" is sometimes a teensy bit heavy handed. This one doesn't have one.

[Tym]

The illustrations are what really elevates this to 4 stars for me

[Felicia Moore]

read this book to baby girl

[Catherine Wuchner]

The storybook, “How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You?” by Jane Yolen & Mark Teague, teaches children what they should do for their parents to show that they love them. This book is great for children who love dinosaurs. The book should help children to understand how to be nice to those they care about. The dinosaurs are being used as motivational figures for children so that they learn how to express their feelings properly and to show they care through their actions. The dinosaurs are brightly colored and act similar to how children do when they lash out and they do not know how to express their emotions properly. While showing children what they should do after lashing out afterward they show children how to express they care and how to make up for their mistakes. Which will encourage children to act more loving and be more attuned to their feelings. According to the article, “Introduction to Picturebook Codes” color is often used to invoke emotion in people, which is done in the picturebook “How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You?”. For example in the picture book, “How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You?” on every page, there is a little pink or red which is often seen as the color for love and compassion.

[Ruby Velazquez]

How do Dinosaurs Say I love You? Is a book about little dinosaurs misbehaving and making messes. No matter what they know that they will always have the love and support from their parents. This book is relatable to children because they could envision themselves in the dinosaur’s shoes. We all make mistakes but if we’re truly sorry there will always be second chances. Overall, they also connect to their parents loving them unconditionally even if they each show it in a different manner. I would recommend this book to be used for story time. In my classroom it would be a great opportunity for students to write a reflection on past experiences of when they misbehaved, but their parents still loved them and forgave them. They can make connections and utilize them as stepping stones to grow and learn in future situations. They would be increasing their creative thinking to analyze themselves and the characters in the book.

[Jamie Jessup]

Just an absolutely adorable story about the different ways dinosaurs (and people) show love. Even though sometimes we are cranky or rude to the people we care about, we still love them and show them that we care. I would read this book around around parent-teacher conferences and I would ask students about the people they love and I would have them do a little craft project to show to their parents at conferences. There are many different ways to show love so I would leave the project pretty open, I would just make sure that they addressed it correctly and had it finished in time to show at conferences. I think the book and project could be used in many different grades, from kindergarten to maybe even as high as fourth grade. It would be interesting to see the different ways students show they care about their family, and I think the students as well as the parents would have fun with the project.

[Lara]

This is such a sweet series of books. I love the detail in the illustrations - so much emotion in the faces and body language of these dinosaurs! The reluctant dinosaur coming from the car was my favorite.

The only reason that this didn't get a full 5 stars was that only 1 time did the dinosaur do something nice to say sorry or to help fix the bad attitude/action of the previous page. (When he made the mess in the sink, he helped mop it up). As it was, the dinosaurs were rude or mean or naughty, but then they'd blow a kiss and all was forgiven. A missed opportunity (let's face it - love does mean saying you're sorry).

Always a good storytime read. Dinosaurs of course, but also friends/family/people we care about, or manners, or good/bad behavior. And a great family or one-on-one read too - the easy rhyme would make a good "I love you" bedtime book.

[QueenAmidala28]

This is my second review of a book in this series in children's literature. I love the series but there is something about this one that didn't keep the kids' interest as much as say, The illustrations and fonts are great and easy to read but the wording was more sing-song-like than normal.

Also, the ISBN number stated that the edition I read was just the hardcover and not the large hardcover which was surprisng because my edition was pretty darn big! That's cool though.

Recommend for one year olds and up! Great introduction book to dinosaurs and manners!