Review by Booklist Review
Ages 4^-6. 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
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-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 (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Uneven rhyming verse follows a group of dinosaurs through a typical elementary school day. While the use of anthropomorphized dinosaurs is superfluous--the only thing that differs is prickly pizza--children getting ready for school will be reassured in the straightforward depiction of the routine. The humorous illustrations aren't outstanding but will appeal to fans of these always-popular creatures. From HORN BOOK Spring 2000, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Although the phrasing of the title sounds similar to the many dinosaur books by the Browns (When Dinosaurs Die, 1996, etc.), Martin's book is more lighthearted, exploring the day in the life of school children'if they were dinosaurs. Her jaunty rhymes take the cheerful clan through the morning rituals of washing up and eating breakfast before moving on to the exciting bus ride to school. Martin covers the typical school day routine: the three Rs, art, music, gym, and the universal favorites of all school children (regardless of species), lunch and recess. Familiar routines take on a humorous aspect when given a dinosaur spin--they are thrilled with cafeteria lunches when ``prickly pizza'' is on the menu. Busy, colorful illustrations fill the pages with a unique blend of whimsy and reality. Whether they're heading off to preschool or kindergarten, anxious children will be reassured and comforted by this jovial crew. (Picture book. 2-6)
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
