Customer Reviews

Dinofours: It's Time for School!

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I read this book to my shy, sensitive very young 3 year old before she started Pre-K 3. When the big day came she blew me a kiss and said " see-ya later mom". I recommended it to many other moms with children starting Pre-K 3 and it had the same effect. I have purchased all of the Dinofour books. They are her favorites. They all have an excellent message and lesson to share.

Amazon says this book is currently not available -- track a copy down through your library or an out of print book service because this book is GREAT!

I wish I'd had this book back when my oldest kids were apprehensive about the first day of school! In Dinofours: It's Time for School, Steven Metzger, a preschool teacher as well as an author, offers first timers and their parents gentle reassurance about that momentous event. Albert, a four year old dinosaur who acts just like the four year old in my house, isn't quite sure he wants to go to school. 'Mommy, will you stay with me at school?' asked Albert. 'I'll stay for awhile,' said Albert's mother. 'And then, when you're ready, I'll leave.' 'I'll never be ready.' Once inside the classroom, Albert meets his teacher, Mrs. Dee, and his classmates, who could have been modeled on the kids in my son's class last year. There's the boy who never met a stranger, the girl who grabs all the cookies, the kids who love to giggle during storytime. The classroom is pretty much like what my son experienced: a sand table, a playdough table, a dress-up area, an art center, a reading nook, and lots of bright colors and age-appropriate toys. When Albert starts to cry because he misses his mom, Mrs. Dee asks for his help in comforting a sad little doll. Later, when Brendan bursts into tears, Albert uses the same technique to comfort his new friend. Hans Wilhelm's illustrations capture the personality of each Dinofour. In the beginning of the book, Albert clings to his mother's leg, while Brendan zooms around the room from activity to activity. After story time, when the Dinofours spot their parents and caregivers waiting at the door to take them home, each little face is lit with sheer joy!

Originally, I bought this book because it looked cute. What I didn't realize was the depth of feeling it would convey to my pre-school son. He had just switched schools and was experiencing many of the thoughts and feelings expressed by Albert and Brendan.

Since that time, we have purchased four more Dinofours books and plan to get the whole series!