Dinosaurs Don't, Dinosaurs Do

by Steve Björkman

Overview

Humorous Illustrations, easy-to-read text, and dinosaurs introduce young children to good manners and prosocial behavior. Dinosaurs don't just take, take, take; dinosaurs do share. When they are mad, they don't hit or bite; instead they use words to express their feelings. They shout and run outdoors; they don't shout at a wedding or run in the china shop. Illustrating this book with funny pictures of dinosaurs, Steve Björkman helps young children learn the benefits of being considerate toward others and the secret to making friends. An I Like to Read® book. Guided Reading Level E.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780823423552
Publisher:	Holiday House
Publication date:	07/01/2011
Series:	I Like to Read Series
Pages:	24
Sales rank:	680,281
Product dimensions:	8.10(w) x 10.10(h) x 0.30(d)
Lexile:	150L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Steve Björkman has illustrated many picture books, chapter books, and greeting cards, including the Twitch the Squirrel series by Vivian Vande Velde, beginning with 8 Class Pets + 1 Squirrel ÷ 1 Dog = Chaos .  He is also the author and illustrator of the I Like to Read books Dinosaurs Don't, Dinosaurs Do, and Look Out, Mouse!  Steve lives in Aliso Viejo, California. Find him online at http://www.stevebjorkman.com/

Editorial Reviews

"The dos and don'ts are explained in simple terms, and the humorous cartoon illustrations (some with speech-bubble dialogue) effectively show how each dinosaur's good or bad behavior makes others feel. The familiar words and text repetition will help new readers gain confidence."—The Horn Book
 
"Straightforward behavior modeling for newly fledged independent readers."—Kirkus Reviews
 
"deftly combine[s] text and art to create a positive experience for new readers."—School Library Journal
 
An ILA/CBC Children's Choice

From the Publisher

Straightforward behavior modeling for newly fledged independent readers.

Illustrating his points with pairs of bright, informally drawn and colored cartoons featuring recognizable dinos in modern playgrounds and other familiar settings, Björkman contrasts bad manners with better ones. "Dinosaurs don't eat like this. Dinosaurs eat like this." (A marmalade T. Rex tosses syrupy pancakes into his mouth, spattering goo everywhere, while at the other end of the table, a hadrosaur politely offers the syrup to a pterodactyl; both have bite-sized pieces of pancake poised on forks.) "Dinosaurs don't hit or bite. When they are mad, dinosaurs use words." (That troublesome T. Rex pounds a purple, horned dinosaur, having already bitten off its tail; meanwhile, a green Dimetrodon mildly points out to an apologetic, brown Ankylosaurus that the latter broke his toy.) Summing up his message with a version of the Golden Rule ("Dinosaurs treat others as they want to be treated. That is why everyone loves dinosaurs!") and steering clear of any direct or indirect reference to the possibility of punishment, the author leaves it to readers to make their choices on a moral or ethical basis. Though unlikely on its own to spark any revolutionary changes in behavior, this approach does at least provide a starting point for reflection or discussion.

Likely little more than an exercise in wishful thinking, but well meant and philosophically solid. (Early reader. 4-6)

Kirkus Reviews