How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?

Written By:  Jane Yolen

Illustrated By:  Mark Teague

Price:  $15.95

Availability:  Usually ships within 1 - 2 business days

Product Details

Publisher:  Blue Sky Press

Date Published:  April 2000

Format:  hardcover

Ages:  3 - 7

 From Publishers Weekly

Set to a lilting bedtime beat, this rollicking rumpus of a tale ups the humor ante in a familiar scenario by substituting dinosaurs for children: "How does a dinosaur say good night when Papa comes in to turn off the light?" In a series of snappy lines, Yolen (Off We Go!, reviewed above; Queen's Own Fool, reviewed below) highlights a variety of postponement antics, some familiar (moping, sulking and demanding "one book more!"), some of a distinctly dinosaur variety--"Does a dinosaur slam his tail and pout? Does he throw his teddy bear all about?" Teague makes hay with the text, and as always his illustrations are a flurry of sly madcap inspiration. He chooses the winged Pteranodon (spelled out in ABC blocks on the bedroom floor) as the character who throws his teddy bear while flying about the room; for "Does he swing his neck from side to side" it's the snake-headed Apatosaurus who does the swinging. Under his sure direction, the sight gag never grows stale, and the sight of a T-Rex puckering up for a kiss, or an enormous Stegosaurus crammed into a tiny bed and daintily turning off the light switch with the tip of his tail, is sure to elicit giggles. As the endpapers reveal, there's a cast of 10 dinosaurs featured here, and sharp eyes will enjoy spotting their proper names tucked into each illustration. This rib-tickling bedtime fare packs plenty of appeal. Ages 2-up. (Apr.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From School Library Journal

PreSchool-K-A rhyming, moral read-it-again tale. "How does a dinosaur say good night when Papa comes in to turn off the light?/Does a dinosaur slam his tail and pout?" Teague's wonderful rounded illustrations show 10 dinosaur species (all identified) as they settle down for the night in their human households. "Does a dinosaur stomp his feet on the floor/and shout: 'I want to hear one book more?'" After demonstrating a variety of bad bedtime behaviors, the reptiles are then shown to be model youngsters. "They give a big hug, then give one kiss more." While the message is a little obvious, it is impossible to resist Teague's endearing dinos.
Kathleen Whalin, Greenwich Country Day School, CT
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Parents' Choice®

As the subject of a book for youngest listener/viewers, dinosaurs are like money in the bank to publishers. And when they are accompanied by a seasoned author like Jane Yolen and an illustrator as ingratiating as Mark Teague, nursery best-sellerdom is virtually guaranteed. While adults may initially question these lumbering behemoths as suitable bedtime-story fare, Teague has miraculously contrived to render Allosaurus, Tyrannosaurus Rex, and eight other creatures of their ilk irresistibly cuddly. Yolen's lilting, reassuring verse cries out for repetition, so grown-up readers should brace themselves for countless requests to "Read it again." A 2000 Parents' Choice® Approved winner.

Reviewed by Selma G. Lanes, Parents' Choice® 2000


From Booklist

The text is sweet and simple--just right for the wonderful pictures that really make this picture book special. Teague's art takes dinosaurs out of their usual context and plops them into bed (a rather comical fit) for a sleepy-time tale with a difference. Endpapers introduce the critter cast in all their gorgeous glory: tyrannosaurus rex, dimetrodon, and more, in vivid, yet still earthbound colors. Prima donna dinos, they yawn and fuss and throw toys about, procrastinating (just like real kids) any way they can as human Moms and Dads, ready to put "baby" to bed, look on in various stages of impatience, anger, and surprise. The whimsical expressions on the "children's" faces give solid clues to the joke. By cleverly varying his perspectives, Teague adds dramatic punch to the pictures--readers watch from above as one behemoth baby whips its neck from side to side; they watch from below when another stamps its huge feet; and they're face to face with one snoozing T-rex hugging its teddy bear close. Alert lookers will notice the dino's name incorporated somewhere into each picture--pteranodon is neatly spelled out in blocks on the floor. A delight from start to finish; better buy more than one. Stephanie Zvirin