How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You?
By Jane Yolen
The Story
A gallery of towering, spike-tailed dinosaurs test their families' patience with messes and roaring fits, then show love in small ways — cleaning up, smiling instead of shouting, and hugging tight.
Why It's Special
For the toddler mid-tantrum who still needs to hear they're loved anyway, this one names the naughty moments out loud and answers them with a hug every time.
- Big idea: Love holds steady even on the hard days, and saying sorry can look like cleaning up a mess.
- Vibes: Warm, funny, reassuring — silly dinosaur antics settling into a soft goodnight.
Perfect For Kids Who
- enjoy gigantic, silly dinosaurs
- are working on calming down after big feelings
- love rhyming, read-aloud text
- respond well to a bedtime-ready ending full of hugs
Ask Your Little Reader
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think the dinosaur's family feels when it roars and makes a mess?
- Real-life connection: What's something you can do to say sorry after you've had a big, messy feeling?
- Story & problem-solving: What are some of the ways the dinosaurs in this book show that they're sorry?
- Imagination: If you were as big as a dinosaur, how would you show someone you love them?
