How Do Dinosaurs Learn to Read? (How Do Dinosaurs...?)

PreS-Gr 2—Yolen and Teague are back with another installment in their dinosaur series, this time tackling learning to read. All of the expected elements are here, including short, rhyming, query-style text; a series of inappropriate behaviors, including frustration when attempts to read fail; the adults reinforcing appropriate things that the dinosaurs do: treating the books right, trying hard, and wanting to read "one more." This title goes further still, and provides reading tips for parents and some exercises for children in the back. Yolen's concise, humorous text scans well, and the story moves along at a rapid clip. She knows her audience and includes accurate behaviors while incorporating things sure to tickle little funny bones. Teague's dinosaurs are huge, appealing, and expressive, yet accurate in appearance. The full-color, full-bleed spreads pop and are viewed equally well close-up or from a distance. They include lots of movement and small clever touches, and, as always, the adults are all human, and smaller than the dino-children. VERDICT This is an incredibly popular series, and this title is a worthwhile addition. Librarians, teachers, and parents alike will find this book useful and in high demand.—Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT