The Only Dinosaur In School product reviews

In The Only Dinosaur in School, the young reader is introduced to the idea of individuality. Children are all different, and this story illustrates this in a unique and entertaining way. Certainly, Miss Five, who started school recently, found this book especially relevant. As do many new entrants, she found the adjustment difficult. A duty teacher was very helpful in easing her into the new school environment, so she thought it was wonderful to see that a duty teacher was one of the characters in the story too!

Making new friends is always a challenge, and fitting in is one of the biggest issues. The unspoken rule that expects children to conform to an arbitrary norm is a tough one to surmount. Recognising that it is acceptable for everyone to be different is a fundamental lesson for all kids. In other words, no two people are the same, but that does not stop very different people from becoming friends. Dogs and cats do it. Why not people too?

The strength of this story is that it takes the idea of difference to an exaggerated and very funny level. Having a dinosaur in the classroom appealed to Miss Five's sense of humour. How silly would that be! At the same time, there was the darker side of imagining what it would be like to have to disguise yourself in order to come to school at all. What would happen when you needed to change for PE? Would you have to use the disabled toilet? What about swimming?

Mr Two, who loves dinosaurs, was taken by the illustrations. He liked hearing about all the mischief the little dinosaur got up to, especially the way he took a bath in the basin and caused a big flood, The illustrations of the other animals had great appeal too. Because the pictures are self-explanatory, it did not matter that he could not follow all the text. The graphics alone brought the story to life.

From an adult perspective, the children's mother and I also loved the humour. The little dinosaur's tail escaping was hilarious, but best of all was the teacher sprouting wings while raising her finger to her lips as if she were pointing out that it was supposed to be a secret. It is affirming for children to realise that differences do not exist just among their friends; other generations too have their share of diverse characters.