How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food?

All Ages

Birth - 12 months

by Jane Yolen
Illustration by Mark Teague

How does a dinosaur eat all his food? Does he burp, does he belch, or make noises quite rude? Does he pick at his cereal, throw down his cup, hoping to make someone else pick it up? Just like kids, dinosaurs have a difficult time learning to behave at the table. However, with a little help from Mom and Dad, these young dinosaurs eat all before them with smiles and goodwill.

Age: 3 Year-olds | Title: How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food? | Author: Jane Yolen | Publisher: Blue Sky Press (AZ)

Why we chose this book

Do you have a finicky eater at home? Or perhaps just an overly boisterous one at the dinner table? How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food? is a fun lesson in table manners for little ones. The first half of the book shows all of the inappropriate dinner behaviors of a dinosaur (a metaphor for 'child' in this case); "How does a dinosaur eat all his food? Does he spit out his broccoli partially chewed?" The second half of the book shows dinosaurs exhibiting good table manners; "He says 'please' and 'thank you.' He sits very still." The pages are filled to the edges with pictures painted in varied vibrant colors. The pictures include fun details like the individual scales on a dinosaur, and the character's different expressions.

Parents will know the dinosaur names after a few readings, as the inside cover of the book has fun cartoon drawings of different dinosaurs with their scientific names under them. And the names are discreetly printed on each page of the story as well. You will also certainly recognize some of the dinosaurs' poor dining habits, such as throwing down his cup, fidgeting in her chair, or glaring when he doesn't like what is for dinner. Perhaps your child will realize that this behavior makes you sad, and learn the lesson. If they forget later and do something inappropriate at the table, you can try reminding them how good dinosaurs eat their food.

My three year-old friend Sam always thinks the picture of a dinosaur burping is hilarious. In fact, he found most of the poor table manners pretty funny. However, he did inform me after each one, "I don't do that, you know. I'm a good boy." I couldn't help but pat him on the head and say, "Yes Sam, you are a good dinosaur."

--Audra

What our customers are saying

I was so excited to get this book for my son for his birthday. He is at a "not eating very well" stage at dinner time so I thought reading this book might remind him how important it is to eat well and have good manners at the table! He really looks up to the dinosaurs! :) I love the rhymes in this book and the very vivid pictures! They are fun to look at and the words keep the attention of any child!

--Marissa, Racine, WI