Tiny T. Rex and the First-Day Oopsies: A Back-to-School Book

by Jonathan Stutzman, Jay Fleck (illustrator)

It's Tiny T. Rex's first day of school! In this new addition to the bestselling series, Tiny is certain he's ready for anything at his BIG new school—but learns that even the best-prepared dinosaur will still meet some "oopsies" along the way!

Tiny T. Rex is everyone's favorite pint-sized dinosaur! Despite being a little dino in a big world, Tiny doesn't mind taking on a new challenge, even when it's the first day of a brand-new school. From his giant backpack to his good-luck bowtie, Tiny is prepared for anything, and that means nothing can go wrong . . . right? With his best friend, Pointy, by his side, Tiny soon discovers that school isn't about being perfectly prepared after all—and that by trying new things and learning as he goes, he's more ready for school than even he knew.

EVERYONE LOVES  The first book about Tiny, Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug, was an immediate hit from the moment it was published, and all the books in the series have become beloved bestsellers! Readers love Tiny’s funny and heartwarming adventures, and dino-obsessed kids delight in hearing and laughing along with these tales again and again.



BACK TO SCHOOL This is a wonderful picture book for home and classroom, and perfect for preparing children for the first day of school. It shares a reassuring and relatable message about trying new things and learning that mistakes and mishaps are how we all grow. 



POSITIVE Every Tiny T. Rex book features Tiny solving common childhood challenges with love, a positive attitude, and the power of friendship.



ENGAGING Funny, charming text and adorable, colorful art make this book a storytime favorite kids will want to read again and again.

Perfect


Dinosaur-loving kids from babies and toddlers through ages 4-6


Parents, grandparents, teachers, and caregivers seeking funny kids' books


Go-to choice for reassuring back-to-school books


Fans of sweet, warm-hearted family picture books


Baby shower, children's birthday, teacher, or classroom gift


Fans of the Tiny T. Rex series and popular children's books like How Do Dinosaurs Go to School?, The Crayons Go Back to School, and The Pigeon HAS to Go to School!

Genres: Picture Books, School, Dinosaurs, Storytime, Childrens, Friendship, Back To School

52 pages, Hardcover

Published July 15, 2025

About the author

Jonathan is a writer of picture books, a filmmaker, book hoarder, and daring explorer of 24-hour diners. He is the author of the bestselling TINY T. REX series, LLAMA DESTROYS THE WORLD and LLAMA UNLEASHES THE ALPACALYPSE, FITZ AND CLEO, BUTTS ARE EVERYWHERE, and many others.

His next book is BEAR IS A BEAR illustrated by Dan Santat.

Jonathan studied film in college and grad school. His short films have screened around the world and on television, and he has writing credits on Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s Emmy-winning variety show HitRECord on TV.

If you ever meet him in person, he will probably-maybe share his french fries.

Reviews

[Autum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute! Not my favorite in the series but still sooo cute with a good memo!

[natalie:)]

I read this at work because the cover was so cute and I started crying (no I'm not about to start my period why the hell would you ask me that)

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 stars, mainly for the performance lol
Thank you Ashley haha

[Skye Elder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so cute, I love it!!!!

[Kennedy Elder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is adorable 😊! Perfect for back to school reading.

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fully intended to share this book before school started, but then life happened, and unfortunately, you’re getting it a bit late. Since I’ve been working at our school for 16 years, I know that there is a honeymoon period that hits after the first couple of weeks of school when the structure gets tighter and expectations are higher. Lots of oopsies are bound to happen both at home and at school.

Kids will be able to relate to Tiny and how he feels smaller than the other dinosaurs, or worried about making friends, or riding the huge school bus for the first time. Fans of the Tiny T. Rex series will be thrilled to see Tiny’s best friend, Pointy, join Tiny at school. Pointy eases Tiny’s fears and helps him recover from the oopsies.

Tiny’s teacher reminds him and all of us that everyone makes mistakes. School is the place to make oopsies and learn from them. That’s how we grow! Fleck’s illustrations show Tiny going through his morning routine and school day, and kids will love seeing Tiny with his bunny slippers on and his teddy bear in bed with him. When Tiny loads his backpack full of everything he thinks he needs and then promptly falls backward, kids are sure to giggle.

Another great story, combined with a life lesson in the Tiny T. Rex series, is a great read to kick off the school year. Thanks especially to Jonathan and Jay and to Chronicle Books for sending me a special autographed copy!

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tiny T. Rex is off to school, and I couldn't be more excited about his adventure. This book is darling. I think preschool and kindergarten parents and teachers are going to line up to be the first to read those aloud to their children to help calm those first day jitters. My favorite part is the jitter juice. Whenever we can harness bravery into a drink, we have a winner. Who wouldn't want to drink jitter juice to calm down first day jitters? The next part I loved was when Tiny T. Rex fell over from a too full backpack. I am visualizing my littles walking down the K/1 hallway with school supplies stuffed into backpacks. Too funny! I know this book will brighten your new students' first day of school.

[Elena L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

TINY T. REX AND THE FIRST-DAY OOPSIES is the perfect book that shows Tiny T's first day of school and things don't go perfectly. The story is simple yet nuanced, with scenes that resonate loaded with humorous tone. My family had a fun (and nostalgic) time reading this book, which is a sweet reminder that mistakes are also part of learning and growing; Overall, this back-to-school book is a good encouragement for any kid facing the first day and embarking into new beginning. I thought it was utterly endearing and relatable!

[ Gifted by the publisher. All opinions are my own ]

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tiny is ready for school... but when he arrives he realizes that it is harder than he thought. Good thing that he has friends and many ways to try again.

Why I started this book: New library picture books!

Why I finished it: Reminder that an oopsie is part of the learning process and not a reason to quit.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tiny the T-Rex is ready for his first day of school. He makes many mistakes but he knows that's going to happen. With help from new friends, an understanding teacher and a surprise lunch note from Mom, Tiny gets through the day just fine.

A good book for littles beginning school and worried about making mistakes.

[Madison LibraryBookFamily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tiny is prepared for school, but keeps making oopses.
His teacher lovingly tells Tiny, "we all make mistakes. That's what school is for! We make an oopsie, we learn from it, and then we grow!"
With a new determination and some accommodations to help him Tiny can do anything.
Cute first day of school book for younger readers. Love the growth mindset.

[Libby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE TINY SO MUCH! This book is a new favorite for sure!

[Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book so much!

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of kids could relate to Rex’s mishaps

[Y.Poston]

a great encouragement for the first day of school, cute!

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very adorable illustrations, but the use of the word "oopsie" got quite grating.

[Serhiy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now I am ready and prepared to make some first day oopsies....!

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely back-to-school book about Tiny the T. Rex as he navigates the "oopsies" that happen at a new school. Would work for Pre-School Storytime

[Reedmylife · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this series so much! It is so cute and although this wasn't a favorite from the series I still enjoyed my time reading it.

[heather jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only wish I had this book when my children were littler!!!

[A.C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

K5 groups liked this one more, I would ask them the kind of dinosaurs and theres not a lot of different voices you have to do so thats good.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, and I always love Tiny - but this series is starting to drag.

[Liz Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely need to add this to my August rotation of books about making mistakes. So good!

[Robin Pelletier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how this book normalizes making mistakes and learning from them! This is a powerful message to all the littles out there. Mistakes will be made. Say oops and fix it and move on.