How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You? [Hardcover]

Jane Yolen (Author), Mark Teague (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: October 6, 2009 | Age Range: 3 and up | Series: How Do Dinosaurs... | Lexile Measure: 520L (What's this?)

With more than 7 million copies sold, everybody's favorite bestselling dinosaurs are back to say: "I love you," in a VERY big way!

Parents and children can never have enough ways to say "I love you"--and now, America's favorite dinosaurs are giving families a funny book, perfect for bedtime, storytime, anytime. Even when little dinosaurs are naughty, it's important to remind them that no matter what they do, they are always loved. In this book, readers will laugh aloud as parents cope with the typical antics of childhood, but in the end, hugs and kisses show your little one how much you care.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1—In this ninth outing in the series, the naughty behaviors of young dinosaurs are followed by an endearing act that reminds their human parents why they love their offspring. The situations are familiar: "Out in the sandbox/you threw lots of sand./You ran from the slide,/after slapping my hand." Fans can follow the 10 dinosaurs by starting with their names and pictures on the endpapers. Expressions are expertly painted for humorous effect, including the defiant Tsintaosaurus letting water overflow onto the floor and the rollicking Pachycephalosaurus kicking the seat while mother is driving the car. The large, colorful spreads and rhyming text that is still a joy to listen to after repeated readings make this a successful storytime selection. Well-designed pictures and skillfully arranged words will entice newly independent readers, who will be challenged to find the dinosaur name hand-lettered in the illustration where the creature is introduced. The familiar format will produce laughs, kisses, and cuddles during or after an exhausting day of many of the same events.—Debbie S. Hoskins, Grand Rapids Public Library, MI END

From Booklist

The ninth dinosaur title in the best-selling series follows the previous books’ winning formula, zeroing in this time on the anxiety little kids feel when they mess up and their subsequent relief when they realize that they are loved no matter what they do. Here, though, it’s the children (or dinos) who offer active gestures of love to the parents, rather than the other way around, providing an interesting twist. As in the other series titles, the huge, bumbling, childlike dinos are a comic delight, and kids will see themselves in the familiar scenarios and emotions. Preschool-Kindergarten. --Gillian Engberg

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: The Blue Sky Press (October 6, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0545143144
• ISBN-13: 978-0545143141
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 9.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,901 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #25 in Books > Children's Books > Animals > Dinosaurs

More About the Author

Born and raised in New York City, Jane Yolen now lives in Hatfield, Massachusetts. She attended Smith College and received her master's degree in education from the University of Massachusetts. The distinguished author of more than 170 books, Jane Yolen is a person of many talents. When she is not writing, Yolen composes songs, is a professional storyteller on the stage, and is the busy wife of a university professor, the mother of three grown children, and a grandmother. Active in several organizations, Yolen has been on the Board of Directors of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, was president of the Science Fiction Writers of America from 1986 to 1988, is on the editorial board of several magazines, and was a founding member of the Western New England Storytellers Guild, the Western Massachusetts Illustrators Guild, and the Bay State Writers Guild. For twenty years, she ran a monthly writer's workshop for new children's book authors. In 1980, when Yolen was awarded an honorary Doctor of Law degree by Our Lady of the Elms College in Chicopee, Massachusetts, the citation recognized that "throughout her writing career she has remained true to her primary source of inspiration--folk culture." Folklore is the "perfect second skin," writes Yolen. "From under its hide, we can see all the shimmering, shadowy uncertainties of the world." Folklore, she believes, is the universal human language, a language that children instinctively feel in their hearts. All of Yolen's stories and poems are somehow rooted in her sense of family and self. The Emperor and the Kite, which was a Caldecott Honor Book in 1983 for its intricate papercut illustrations by Ed Young, was based on Yolen's relationship with her late father, who was an international kite-flying champion. Owl Moon, winner of the 1988 Caldecott Medal for John Schoenherr's exquisite watercolors, was inspired by her husband's interest in birding. Yolen's graceful rhythms and outrageous rhymes have been gathered in numerous collections. She has earned many awards over the years: the Regina Medal, the Kerlan Award, the World Fantasy Award, the Society of Children's Book Writers Award, the Mythopoetic Society's Aslan Award, the Christopher Medal, the Boy's Club Jr. Book Award, the Garden State Children's Book Award, the Daedalus Award, a number of Parents' Choice Magazine Awards, and many more. Her books and stories have been translated into Japanese, French, Spanish, Chinese, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Afrikaans, !Xhosa, Portuguese, and Braille. With a versatility that has led her to be called "America's Hans Christian Andersen," Yolen, the child of two writers, is a gifted and natural storyteller. Perhaps the best explanation for her outstanding accomplishments comes from Jane Yolen herself: "I don't care whether the story is real or fantastical. I tell the story that needs to be told."

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Series November 26, 2009

By Ursula K. Raphael TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

My 4 yr old son loves the How Do Dinosaurs... series. We have some of the board books like How Do Dinosaurs Count To Ten?, and some of the other hardcovers, such as How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? and How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food?.

How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You? explains to children that their parents love them all the time, even when they are naughty or moody. Usually the books in this series contrast bad behavior with good behavior, and end on a postive note. Not only are they entertaining, but if you look closely at the illustrations, the names of the dinosaurs are included on each page, adding to the educational value of each book.

I added this one to my son's collection because I wanted him to realize that a good parent loves their child unconditionally, no one is perfect, and everyone has had a bad day. He also has a huge interest in anything to do with dinosaurs.

If your child loves these books, and would like something a little more serious, check out DK First Dinosaur Encyclopedia.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars More Dinosaurs to Love November 5, 2009

By Peyton

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

When I first read the book, I was not sure about it, since it has some very naughty dinosaurs in it. However, as the other reviewers have said, it is important for a child to know that you're loved even if you don't behave perfectly all the time. As usual, the art is wonderful. My son is only a year old and loves books, period. The dinosaur series has become one of his favorites and we read each one of the four we currently have each night before bed (soon to be 7, birthday is Friday). I know that he will continue to love this series as he gets older and gains an understanding of the message behind the rhymes. I'm also looking forward to the upcoming releases about Dinosaurs loving their pets.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Doesn't have the same "zing" the others do December 29, 2009

By SmartMomma

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Bought this for Christmas, we have all of the "how do dinosaur" books and I was so excited to read this one to our girls. Its ok, definatly not the same feel as the other ones. Didn't seem to flow as well, and made it seem like the "dinosaur" is always very very bad. I don't know that I would purchase it again if I had the chance.