Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
How do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon?
Illustrator: Mark Teague
Picture Book Series
For ages 2 to 5
Scholastic, 2003 ISBN: 978-0439241007
What does a little dinosaur do when he gets the snuffles and the sneezes, when his head feels heavy and his tummy won't stop complaining? Does he "whimper and whine"? Does he refuse to take his medicine and throw off his covers? Does he make a scene at the doctor's office and utterly disgrace himself?
Indeed he does not! He takes his pills and drinks his juice. He rests quietly in bed and does what the doctor tells him because he knows that "doctors know best." And because he does all these things, in good time, the little dinosaur will soon get well.
It is hard to behave well when one is feeling sick and most children will, at some point be crabby and grumpy at such a time, at least for a little while. This picture book with its colorful and personable dinosaur characters was clearly written and illustrated just for these children. It is sympathetic to the plight of sick little people and at the same time it reminds them that there is no need to behave badly when one is ill. Gently, and with good humor, bad behavior is put in perspective and good behavior is praised.
With delightful rhymes and irresistible dinosaurs of all kinds, this is a picture book which children and their parents will both enjoy.
