Everything is better when a dinosaur is doing it, right? Have some fun showing your little that everyone has someone who loves them - even dinosaurs! The different children in the story are depicted as dinosaurs, whose mothers love them no matter what; even if they are acting grumpy, fussing with their food, or moping instead of napping. The painted pictures fill the pages with vivid colors and fun details. The book is also full of humor, from the stuffed bunny's expression of surprise because she is setting on a dinosaur's lap, to a giant dinosaur strapped in a car seat throwing a sippy cup of milk.
The inside cover of the book has fun cartoon drawings of different dinosaurs with their scientific names under them. So, when your child asks "What is that?" you can impress them by answering, "That is a Pachycephalosaurus, sweetie." Even within the story, the scientific name of each dinosaur is subtly printed. The main message of the book is that parents love their children, even after they've done something not-so-nice, because they know that when a child holds their hands, gives them a hug, or tries to make something better after making it a mistake, it is there way of saying "I love you." Take the opportunity to reflect with your little one how you two say, "I love you" to each other.
My three-year-old friend Sam is as big of a dinosaur fan as any little boy. He loves the 'How Do Dinosaur...' series and has them all. After a particularly difficult day, where Sam got in trouble for throwing one of his toys, screaming in the store, and saying 'no' one too many times, he was having a tough time settling down for bed. He was upset over all the trouble he had gotten into that day, and was really feeling picked on. I thought this book would relate well to him, so I finally got him to snuggle up and read it with me. By the end, I could tell he felt better. I added, "I love you too, Sam. Even if you had a bad day." He smiled and hugged me tight, "I love you like a dinosaur too," he said. I think that is a good thing.
--Audra
