How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?

Written by Jane Yolen
Illustrated by Mark Teague
Scholastic Inc. USA
Ages 3-6 yrs


Cuddling up and being read to/ reading probably features high in most children's bedtime routine. Parents play different roles depending on the child's need and their own energy levels. Some kids need to be coaxed to sleep and some sung to. And some kids do not develop a routine at all!  

How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night? uses young dinosaurs to highlight desirable bed time rituals. My daughter rightly observed, "Oh they are showing dinosaurs as babies right?"

As the title suggests, the scenes are set in a child's bedroom or to be specific, a child dinosaur's bedroom. The room's wallpaper has dinosaur motifs and the dinosaurs though large indulge in childlike play and activities, even tantrums.

Each spread is dedicated to one single dinosaur. The name of the dinosaur is cleverly hidden in the illustration sometimes spelt out on the rug or in the form of ABC blocks on the floor and so on. This provides for some engaging activity.

The dinosaurs' bedtime shenanigans are posed as questions - "Do dinosaurs cry/ throw their teddy bear about/ slam their tail and pout?..." . Though not recommended, your child may decide to add it to his antic collection and tomfoolery to postpone sleep time!

The story ends with the affirmation of good behaviour before one falls asleep- kiss- hug- turn out the light ( with the tail!)- snuggle in. The pictures on these pages make the formidable creature look extremely endearing.

The text is simple and rhymes, making it fun to read aloud. The dinosaur names remain tongue twisters for adults and kids alike- be it Triceratops or Pteranodon. They are rounded up on one single page for ready reference.

This delightful book works at many levels:
It will garner more than a few amused looks and even some chuckles.
It will prompt your child to read aloud.
It will provoke her to look for the name of the particular dinosaur on every page
It subtly shows people from various cultures as the parents.
It emphasises good bed time behaviour and even goads a reluctant child to try sleeping in her own bed!!