When Dinosaurs Go to School [Paperback]

Linda Martin (Author)

Book Description

Grade Level: P and up

What happens when dinosaurs go to school? After goodbye hugs and a quick bus ride, they spend the day playing and learning. They mix up squishy fingerpaints, practice playing tuba, munch prickly pizza, brave the dino-slide, and look forward to another day of school. With her funny, rhyming text and hilarious illustrations, Linda Martin invites everyone to see just how cool-osaurus school can be.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-K-Two dinosaur siblings "wash behind their ears and scales," dress "nicely," eat a "healthy" breakfast, and are ready for a "very happy" ride on the bus. At school, they have spelling lessons, read, paint, exercise, and play on the dino-slide. Their day is described in relentlessly cheerful verse until the final page: "Dinosaurs all say goodbye,/and soon they're on their way./But they'll be back tomorrow,/for another fun-filled day!" The siblings have no personalities and they encounter no challenges. The cartoonlike illustrations-a combination of watercolors, acrylics, and pen and ink-are cheerful too, filled with smiling teachers and busy children. While the book may help preschoolers develop a positive attitude as they look ahead to kindergarten, some may find this idealized school with its swimming pool, music lessons, and lunch served from a table covered in white linen quite different from their own.
Adele Greenlee, Bethel College, St. Paul, MN
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Written in rhyming verse, Martin's picture book features two fun-loving dinosaur siblings who are off to the bus stop and on to an exciting, happy day of school. In their cheerful town, a positively merry school exists, and that is where these young dinosaurs study spelling and art, learn how to swim and play soccer, break for lunch and recess, and take music lessons. "They learn their numbers, / and they learn how flowers grow. / But now the school day's over, / and it's time for them to go." Martin's lively illustrations in watercolor, acrylic, and pen and ink give children plenty to look at, just as they did in When Dinosaurs Go Visiting (1993). Kathy Broderick

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (April 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811820890
• ISBN-13: 978-0811820899
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,532,085 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellant addition to any library!, January 22, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: When Dinosaurs Go to School (Paperback)

I do not have a family of my own, yet, but have purchased this book for myself and many of my friend's children and nieces and nephews. This book is a wonderful guide for what to expect when children go to school. My neice and nephew are too young for kindergarten but enjoy the book because they associate it with their day care experience. The book so cleverly pulls in children and adults through the writing and the brillant illustrations that you find yourself rereading the book just for the joy of it. I would recommend this for any family who has or knows children.

4.0 out of 5 stars Cute, November 1, 2005

By 

TA Mom - See all my reviews

This review is from: When Dinosaurs Go to School (Paperback)

Positives:
Warmly illustrated
Rhyming is well done and not forced
Takes a child through different school activities

Missing:
Sense of humor or surprise

5.0 out of 5 stars One TERRIFIC book!!, September 24, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: When Dinosaurs Go To School (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition) (School & Library Binding)

My son has special needs and he ABSOLUTELY LOVES THIS BOOK!!! We have read it almost every night for more than a month and have had to re-borrow it from the library. It is just perfect for him because it reflects his day at school perfectly. Thanks to Ms. Martin for a great book.