T. Rexes Can't Tie Their Shoes

by Anna Lazowski, Steph Laberis (Illustrator)

Overview

A funny and encouraging alphabetic book about all the things animals CAN'T do but kids CAN! Every parent teaching their children new skills will be happy to have this super-positive picture book on hand.

Bees can't ride bicycles, penguins can't play ping-pong, and zebras can't go zip-lining. No one is good at everything, but that shouldn't stop you from trying! Here is a funny and encouraging picture book for any child learning how to tie their shoes, ride a bike, spell their name, or do a variety of new things.

Follow a hilarious alphabet of animals, and see all the things they can't do but kids can—from doing gymnastics to flipping pancakes to playing a xylophone. Along the way, young readers will learn that it's okay if they can't do everything; they can still have a LOT of fun trying.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593181386
Publisher:	Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	06/29/2021
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	416,588
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	3 - 6 Years

About the Author

ANNA LAZOWSKI is an award-winning senior producer at CBC Radio, based in Winnipeg. She has an MA in journalism from the University of Western Ontario and a BFA (Honors) degree from the University of Manitoba. T. Rexes Can't Tie Their Shoes is her first book. Learn more about Anna's writing at annalazowskibooks.com, and follow her on Facebook at @AuthorAnnaLazowski, on Twitter at @anna_lazowski, and on Instagram at @annalazowski.

STEPH LABERIS graduated from Rhode Island School of Design. She creates art for children's products and books, including the Grumpy Cat books for Little Golden Books, My Little Golden Book About Sharks, and My Little Golden Book About Dinosaurs. Learn more at stephlaberis.squarespace.com, and follow her at @StephLaberis on Twitter and @steph_laberis on Instagram.

Editorial Reviews

"The implicit value of trying new things with a good attitude in order to learn is augmented by the silliness of the colorful cartoon drawings, which add a positive objective to the overall message.” —Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

2021-03-31
An alphabet book features a plethora of animals unsuccessfully trying to learn a variety of tasks that are really suited for human mastery.

A mostly familiar menagerie arranged in alphabetical order illustrates the humorous futility of these creatures’ attempts. “Alligators can’t pick apples. / Bees can’t ride bicycles.” Each sentence accentuates the upper- and lowercase letter in colored type that contrasts with the otherwise all-black text. Many of the tasks depicted are usual daily chores such as washing dishes or everyday skills like tying shoes. Others offer opportunity for ridiculous illustration, such as “Cheetahs can’t chew bubble gum,” with a big cat all tied up in a large wad of the pink sticky stuff next to a gumball machine. A few unusual animals are introduced, such as the aquatic narwhals and two exotic birds: quetzals and xenopses. While all these animals can look hilarious trying to accomplish what is impossible, they all also are having lots of fun, which is the point. An addendum includes the entire cast of characters with factual information on what each can actually do and its significance. The implicit value of trying new things with a good attitude in order to learn is augmented by the silliness of the colorful cartoon drawings, which add a positive objective to the overall message. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11-by-17-inch double-page spreads viewed at 50% of actual size.)

Preschoolers can learn their letters while appreciating their own abilities to acquire and practice new skills. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews