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No T. Rex in the Library
It's a quiet morning in the library until a little girl roars out of control! Tess resigns herself to a time-out, but finds that she must be the one who has to maintain order when T. Rex leaps from the pages of a book into real life. Books scatter, knights clatter, and a pirate brandishes a sword as T. Rex leads the charge to the stars.
Will Tess be able to get this T. Rex under control? And will the library ever be the same?
Will Tess be able to get this T. Rex under control? And will the library ever be the same?
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
2 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
April 21, 2014
As a mom who tried to read this book to her five-year-old son, I did not like this book. The weird rhyming/non-rhyming text of this book is bad.
As a former children's librarian, I deplored this book, because:
1. Dropping off your child in the children's section of the library for a ten-minute time-out while you disappear into another part of the library is VERY BAD.
2. Allowing your child to run wild through the library, knocking over books, displays and presumably stacks, is VERY BAD.
3. Allowing your child (or the child's dinosaur) to rip a book to shreds is VERY BAD.
Sadly, as a children's librarian, I've encountered patrons like the parent portrayed in this book. Do not be this parent.
As a former children's librarian, I deplored this book, because:
1. Dropping off your child in the children's section of the library for a ten-minute time-out while you disappear into another part of the library is VERY BAD.
2. Allowing your child to run wild through the library, knocking over books, displays and presumably stacks, is VERY BAD.
3. Allowing your child (or the child's dinosaur) to rip a book to shreds is VERY BAD.
Sadly, as a children's librarian, I've encountered patrons like the parent portrayed in this book. Do not be this parent.
February 19, 2012
I used this as a read-aloud at a library-themed storytime, and it was incredibly awkward to read. I like the idea of "no beastie behavior in the library" but it needed a rewrite! Zero flow.
January 10, 2012
The idea was good, but the execution was very odd. A little girl ends up learning a valuable lesson from what is probably her own imagination, as the dinosaur from one of the books in the library shows her the down side of her own behavior. At least, that's the way I would like to think this book is supposed to read.
The problem is that the author and artist are sometimes vague on the boundaries of her reality. Do books really get knocked over during the dinosaur's rampage? And why does her mother put her in a time-out in the library and then wander away? That part just didn't make sense.
Some kids will enjoy the chaos, but those reading the book to them will somehow need to convey that this is a BAD kind of behavior. They will have forgotten that part, during the dinosaurs vs. pirates battle.
The problem is that the author and artist are sometimes vague on the boundaries of her reality. Do books really get knocked over during the dinosaur's rampage? And why does her mother put her in a time-out in the library and then wander away? That part just didn't make sense.
Some kids will enjoy the chaos, but those reading the book to them will somehow need to convey that this is a BAD kind of behavior. They will have forgotten that part, during the dinosaurs vs. pirates battle.
June 29, 2017
GET OUT T-REX! JUST LEAVE! YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE A LIBRARY CARD!
October 11, 2017
I feel like the mixed messages of this book wouldn't go over well at storytime. The first part is true, but delivered in a preachy manner -- don't be a monster in the library! But then a dinosaur comes out and is a monster in the library. It's difficult to tell if it's all in the girl's imagination or if she's still being a monster and going to blame it on her imaginary friend after the last page. I'm going to avoid this one.
August 16, 2010
Why did I buy this?
It shows a kid young enough to be put in time out be left ALONE in the children's room.
It shows the child going amok--partly in her imagination, but partly I think for real--in that children's room.
In other words, this is a book that encourages the sort of behavior parents and nannies allow in the library already.
Feh..........
It shows a kid young enough to be put in time out be left ALONE in the children's room.
It shows the child going amok--partly in her imagination, but partly I think for real--in that children's room.
In other words, this is a book that encourages the sort of behavior parents and nannies allow in the library already.
Feh..........
August 24, 2025
This book is over 15 years old and still gets attention hmmm... interesting!
I love the main idea: each book we open is a whole world - knights, cowboys, pirates, dinosaurs. But I didn’t quite get the setup: why is the girl “punished” and time-outing in the library? And then her imagination literally bursts out and makes a mess?
Cute illustrations, but the story didn’t click for me.
I love the main idea: each book we open is a whole world - knights, cowboys, pirates, dinosaurs. But I didn’t quite get the setup: why is the girl “punished” and time-outing in the library? And then her imagination literally bursts out and makes a mess?
Cute illustrations, but the story didn’t click for me.
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December 24, 2023All those ruined books 😤
June 3, 2011
Since my son enjoys dinosaurs, we picked this book up for him at our local library. He really enjoyed this story and how the little girl in the book used her imagination to make the books come alive. He also enjoyed how she put the T.Rex back into the book. I understand the concern some of the critiques have mentioned about the child having a "time out" and being "left alone" in the children's section. However, I think what is more important is the fact that she uses her imagination to make the books come alive, and the fact that the T. Rex ends up in "time out" because of how he treats the books. I recommend this book for dinosaur loving kids who also enjoy using their imagination.
December 5, 2014
Tess goes to the library and is misbehaving so her mom puts her in time out. While in time out she knocks a book open and her imagination runs wild. The T.rex in the book comes to life and runs around the library knocking over books, stomping on them, and eventually rips a book in half.Tess then puts the T. Rex in timeout to stop the destruction. This book is good for early readers.
This book is very exciting for children but also helps them to understand how to act in a library. The illustrations are very colorful and cartoon-like. The pages are full of the illustrations. Overall, the book is really well written and would be a good book to read in a classroom.
This book is very exciting for children but also helps them to understand how to act in a library. The illustrations are very colorful and cartoon-like. The pages are full of the illustrations. Overall, the book is really well written and would be a good book to read in a classroom.
March 25, 2017
This is a cute book about a girl who misbehaves in the library and ends up with a book about a dinosaur. She falls into the imaginary world, including imagining what the dinosaur would do in the library. When the dinosaur acts bad, she puts him back into the book because you can't act that way in the library.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2016
Don't ever leave your child for a 10 minute time out in the library while you go to the adult fiction section to get your books. I also didn't like the books being ripped at the end. Poor role modeling for all ages in this book.
March 17, 2025
I know I read this book and met Toni years ago at Texas Librarian Convention, but first on line after reading this book and others. I enjoy the artwork and of course the fact that she brings the library to life and then corralling it back into order again. I’m rereading most of my books(author signed copies) with a little 3 1/2 year old. It won’t be long before a little boy gets to hear the same books again. She reading it to me now. I love it!
I forgot to tell you just how joyful she was with the bright green end pages. I love anything other than white end pages in a kids book.
I forgot to tell you just how joyful she was with the bright green end pages. I love anything other than white end pages in a kids book.
September 6, 2014
Horn Book (Fall 2010)
Tess, in time-out for her "beastie behavior" at the library, accidentally shakes free a T. Rex from a book's pages. The mischievous dino rampages through the library while Tess tries to control him ("Take care!...The books..."). This lesson about regaining self-control isn't heavy-handed, and readers will enjoy the vibrant mixed-media illustrations that display Tess's vivid imagination.
Kirkus Reviews (February 15, 2010)
Tess is out of control and roaring--in the library, of all places--so her mother gives her a time out. Yoshikawa's colorful mixed-media illustrations on a soft yellow background show Tess, frustrated, leaning against a shelf and accidentally knocking it over. Now it's not Tess roaring but a T. Rex, who has escaped from one of the fallen books. As the dinosaur runs amok with Tess on his back, other characters and subjects from the books--knights, fish, pirates, cowboys, planets--rise up. T. Rex's rowdy behavior begins to concern Tess, and she starts to worry about the books themselves. When the dinosaur piles up books and climbs on them, Tess notices they are ripping, and, taking control, she gives T. Rex a well-deserved time out himself, pressing him back inside his volume. A lively introduction to the multitude of stories and topics found in a library with an emphasis on the importance of book care and library etiquette, this will especially appeal to active youngsters. Good for home, classroom and library use. (Picture book. 3-6)
Library Media Connection (March/April 2010)
Tess goes to the library with her mom and because she acts like a "beastie" gets put in time out. As she waits for her mother, a dinosaur escapes from a book. Tess rides the dinosaur around the library and they encounter knights, ocean creatures, and other adventures. When the dinosaur acts "beastie," Tess presses him back into a book. Full page color cartoon-like illustrations enhance the text. At times the text doesn't work well for being read aloud. There are a number of words that are difficult for an audience of early readers. If your collection needs an additional book with this theme this will complement the collection, but there are more engaging titles. Additional Selection. Allison L. Bernstein, Educational Materials Reviewer, Ridgewood, New Jersey
School Library Journal (January 1, 2010)
PreS-K-Free an excitable beastie in a library and shelves will fall, pages will rip, and books will be chewed. After a fun, but slightly wild ride through the different sections of the building, Tess sees the need to get T. rex back into his book. But can she do it without saying goodbye forever? Luckily, she has the rules fresh in her mind, and the skills to keep a dinosaur in check. When reading Tess and T. rex's story, the roars, snarls, and snorts will need to be delivered in full force. Youngsters can also use their stern parental voice to say "Watch out!" "Time out!" and "Be careful!" and give commands like "Charge on" and "Yee-haw!" Buzzeo and Yoshikawa make it obvious how children are supposed to behave in a library while giving sneak peeks at some of the different sections and exciting possibilities that they might encounter on a visit. Mixed-media illustrations have loud colors, quick movements, and costume changes to match the section of the library. Although this book is lively at the start, it does have a calm ending consisting of a hug and a whisper. Offer this one to children who enjoy Jane Yolen's "How Do Dinosaurs." series (Scholastic).-Tanya Boudreau, Cold Lake Public Library, AB, Canada Copyright 2010 Reed Business Information.
Tess, in time-out for her "beastie behavior" at the library, accidentally shakes free a T. Rex from a book's pages. The mischievous dino rampages through the library while Tess tries to control him ("Take care!...The books..."). This lesson about regaining self-control isn't heavy-handed, and readers will enjoy the vibrant mixed-media illustrations that display Tess's vivid imagination.
Kirkus Reviews (February 15, 2010)
Tess is out of control and roaring--in the library, of all places--so her mother gives her a time out. Yoshikawa's colorful mixed-media illustrations on a soft yellow background show Tess, frustrated, leaning against a shelf and accidentally knocking it over. Now it's not Tess roaring but a T. Rex, who has escaped from one of the fallen books. As the dinosaur runs amok with Tess on his back, other characters and subjects from the books--knights, fish, pirates, cowboys, planets--rise up. T. Rex's rowdy behavior begins to concern Tess, and she starts to worry about the books themselves. When the dinosaur piles up books and climbs on them, Tess notices they are ripping, and, taking control, she gives T. Rex a well-deserved time out himself, pressing him back inside his volume. A lively introduction to the multitude of stories and topics found in a library with an emphasis on the importance of book care and library etiquette, this will especially appeal to active youngsters. Good for home, classroom and library use. (Picture book. 3-6)
Library Media Connection (March/April 2010)
Tess goes to the library with her mom and because she acts like a "beastie" gets put in time out. As she waits for her mother, a dinosaur escapes from a book. Tess rides the dinosaur around the library and they encounter knights, ocean creatures, and other adventures. When the dinosaur acts "beastie," Tess presses him back into a book. Full page color cartoon-like illustrations enhance the text. At times the text doesn't work well for being read aloud. There are a number of words that are difficult for an audience of early readers. If your collection needs an additional book with this theme this will complement the collection, but there are more engaging titles. Additional Selection. Allison L. Bernstein, Educational Materials Reviewer, Ridgewood, New Jersey
School Library Journal (January 1, 2010)
PreS-K-Free an excitable beastie in a library and shelves will fall, pages will rip, and books will be chewed. After a fun, but slightly wild ride through the different sections of the building, Tess sees the need to get T. rex back into his book. But can she do it without saying goodbye forever? Luckily, she has the rules fresh in her mind, and the skills to keep a dinosaur in check. When reading Tess and T. rex's story, the roars, snarls, and snorts will need to be delivered in full force. Youngsters can also use their stern parental voice to say "Watch out!" "Time out!" and "Be careful!" and give commands like "Charge on" and "Yee-haw!" Buzzeo and Yoshikawa make it obvious how children are supposed to behave in a library while giving sneak peeks at some of the different sections and exciting possibilities that they might encounter on a visit. Mixed-media illustrations have loud colors, quick movements, and costume changes to match the section of the library. Although this book is lively at the start, it does have a calm ending consisting of a hug and a whisper. Offer this one to children who enjoy Jane Yolen's "How Do Dinosaurs." series (Scholastic).-Tanya Boudreau, Cold Lake Public Library, AB, Canada Copyright 2010 Reed Business Information.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2012
Tess goes to the library on Tuesday morning with her mom. She is loud and out of control pushing books of the table until her mother puts her in time out. Her mom says there is no beastie behavior at the library and while Tess fumes in time out she knocks over a shelf. Out of one of the books pops a T.Rex. Tess jumps on its back as it scatters books everywhere with its huge tail. Out of some books they knock down, comes a handful of knights who charge after them. Then a book of the sea falls open and they are swept away into a pirate book adventure. They escape then into the Wild West display as Tess tells the dinosaur to watch out for the books he’s stepping on. Finally they race to the outer space books where amid the stars, Tess finally yells time out to the T.Rex. She tells him to stop ripping the books because there is no beastie behavior at the library. He pouts in his chair and Tess pushes him back into his book for ten quiet minutes until next time.
This book is good for young children who are just learning about the library because it teaches them the rules at the library. It tells them to be quiet and polite while at the library and to be nice and take care of the books they interact with. The appeal is in the lesson that it teaches in a simple way to young kids. It opens them up to the adventures they can have within the books as long as they behave and take care of the books they get at the library. I would implement this book into the library as a manners book to teach children to be quiet and respectful at their library.
Buzzeo, T. (2010). No t.rex in the library. New York: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
This book is good for young children who are just learning about the library because it teaches them the rules at the library. It tells them to be quiet and polite while at the library and to be nice and take care of the books they interact with. The appeal is in the lesson that it teaches in a simple way to young kids. It opens them up to the adventures they can have within the books as long as they behave and take care of the books they get at the library. I would implement this book into the library as a manners book to teach children to be quiet and respectful at their library.
Buzzeo, T. (2010). No t.rex in the library. New York: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
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October 7, 2012•Brief summary
Tess is at the Library and she isn't on her greatest behavior and is not being nice to the books. So Tess' mom put her in time out. While in time out she knocks a book open and her imagination runs wild. The T.rex runs around the library knocking over books, stomping on them, climbing on them, and finally ripping a book in half. So Tess puts the T.rex in timeout because when you have beastie behavior in he library the books can come to harm.
•Audience
Good book for pre-k and kindergarten
•Appeal
It has a dinosaur that Roars and runs around any child will like the excitement the dinosaur brings to the library. It has a lot color and is fast moving yet short for those small attention spans.
•Implementation
I would read this book to my class before we went to the library for the first time so the children will understand how to act in the library and how not to act in the library.
Buzzeo, T., & Yoshikawa, S. (2010). No T. Rex in the library. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books.
Tess is at the Library and she isn't on her greatest behavior and is not being nice to the books. So Tess' mom put her in time out. While in time out she knocks a book open and her imagination runs wild. The T.rex runs around the library knocking over books, stomping on them, climbing on them, and finally ripping a book in half. So Tess puts the T.rex in timeout because when you have beastie behavior in he library the books can come to harm.
•Audience
Good book for pre-k and kindergarten
•Appeal
It has a dinosaur that Roars and runs around any child will like the excitement the dinosaur brings to the library. It has a lot color and is fast moving yet short for those small attention spans.
•Implementation
I would read this book to my class before we went to the library for the first time so the children will understand how to act in the library and how not to act in the library.
Buzzeo, T., & Yoshikawa, S. (2010). No T. Rex in the library. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books.
January 16, 2018
This story tells of a girl and a friend who cause mayhem in a a library.
My first impression of the book was that it was going to be very funny and witty because of the fact that a dinosaur would be causing terror in a library.
The first thing that caught my eye about the book was the large array of colors and fun font that make the phrases and the pages book out at you.
The design elements in this book are phenomenal because it catches your eyes from the second you pick up the book and it keeps drawing you in with every page. For example, the front cover entices you, the first few pages keep you at bay and once the exciting part is about to happen, the colors pop, the font gets wackier and bigger at certain points to add emphasis on words. It makes the reading fun.
For a children book, it definitely is a great selection. This book is guaranteed to make you laugh and smile and keep children engaged.
I would definitely recommend this book to everyone who wants something fun to read to kids.
My first impression of the book was that it was going to be very funny and witty because of the fact that a dinosaur would be causing terror in a library.
The first thing that caught my eye about the book was the large array of colors and fun font that make the phrases and the pages book out at you.
The design elements in this book are phenomenal because it catches your eyes from the second you pick up the book and it keeps drawing you in with every page. For example, the front cover entices you, the first few pages keep you at bay and once the exciting part is about to happen, the colors pop, the font gets wackier and bigger at certain points to add emphasis on words. It makes the reading fun.
For a children book, it definitely is a great selection. This book is guaranteed to make you laugh and smile and keep children engaged.
I would definitely recommend this book to everyone who wants something fun to read to kids.
January 16, 2018
What, there is a T rex in the library? On a exciting Tuesday our main character Tess expresses her creativity and adventurous imagination through the books she reads. The exciting but destructive scene is a dream come true for any child reading a book. by opening a book the reader experiences the pages in real life and forces the children to imagine the setting through the colorful and interactive pictures. Although this is a children's book I think the font it a little too small for a child to read and therefore, it is a great book to read to a child. The emotional hardships of being a energized child in timeout gets too hard for Tess and all craziness is let loose in the library. The precious books can not be saved, they are all being read by our friend Tess. This not only shows the readers the excitement of reading but how to be interactive in a book to keep interested. This is helpful for young readers as it is good to read with interest in every book you read.
July 7, 2014
I like books about the library and am always on the lookout for picture books in that setting. I figured this one would interest my son as it has dinosaurs. A woman puts her daughter Tess in time-out for ten minutes for being a "little beastie" in the library and causing mischief, and while there Tess imagines a T Rex coming out of one of the books she knocked over and causing plenty more mischief and mayhem in the library, including ripping books. For this, Tess punishes the dinosaur by putting it in time out and back inside its book. I get that they're trying to teach kids to have good behavior in the library, but that message kind of gets lost about halfway through the book. My son loves it though, mostly just because there is a roaring rampaging dinosaur, so this book gets three stars from me instead of two. Recommended for ages 3-6, 3 stars.
February 24, 2010
Another children's library book by Toni Buzzeo. It is not my favorite book by Toni who has written better picture books for kids regarding the library. You have a little girl who is loud and willful, and has a mother who shouts across the library that she's now in a time out. Reading that out loud to students, they may think that's acceptable behavior in the library. The illustrations are beautiful, and the girl has an active imagination, but watching her trounce the library made me wince. Please read instead "Our Librarian Won't Tell Us Anything" and "The Library Doors", both fun reads for students.
March 24, 2011
The cute retro illustrations are wonderful, and I'm partial to stories about how books open up a world of imagination. Naughty young Tess's redeeming feature is that she ultimately loves books, and is willing to protect them from her alter-ego, the T. Rex. But the story doesn't fulfill its potential. For one thing, the plot failed my logic test -- what parent would discipline her "out of control" child by giving the child a time out in the library and walking away for 10 minutes ("I'll be back for you")? What misbehaving child would then sit still for 10 minutes alone? Maybe Mom needed the time out, after shouting at her daughter and calling her a "beastie"?
April 7, 2011
When Tess comes into the library, she is definitely not on her best behavior. Set on time out by her mom for her "beastie" behavior, Tess manages to knock over a pile of books and release a T. Rex from the bounds of a book. Now the dinosaur is tearing around the library, knocking over more books. Squid, knights and pirates join the chaos. When the dinosaur finally goes further on his rampage than even Tess can condone, she sets the huge reptile on a time out before putting him back inside a book.
This picture book could have a role in a book care lesson or introduction at the end of the school year. It could also be used in a discussion of writing ideas.
This picture book could have a role in a book care lesson or introduction at the end of the school year. It could also be used in a discussion of writing ideas.
August 30, 2010
I was not impressed. It felt that the text was trying to rhyme and very much not succeeding. The unattended child in timeout in a LIBRARY did not sit well with me in the least. (In case you haven't figured it out, librarians are NOT baby-sitters.) The adventures would have been fun, and the girl's attempts to keep the books taken care of would have been nice, but I was too distracted by the text and how it was laid out on the pages. Not the best book for me, but I'm sure some children will like it.
January 5, 2011
This is a fantastic tale of imagination and the many worlds that books can take you to. I like that it's set in a library and the author reinforces that you cannot be rough or loud or destructive to books. The shouting, wild actions and yelling is not appropriate for the library, but that can be discussed while reading the story. And our girls liked that Tess ends up being like her Mom, telling the T. Rex to take a time out when he acts beastly with the books.
May 18, 2011
I surprised at how low the rating for this book was. It has it's problems (what some call a logic failure because the girl gets a timeout in the library) but there is a lot to like about this book. Lovely illustrations, "books come alive" theme, a dinosaur, and a light moral. Going to try it in a Dinosaur storytime.
March 11, 2015
Tess gets a timeout in the library, but during timeout she opens a book and out climbs a T. Rex, who proceeds to wreak havoc all over the library and let loose all sorts of other characters from books.
Fun illustrations. Would be a good book to read with kids and have them try to predict what would happen next.
Fun illustrations. Would be a good book to read with kids and have them try to predict what would happen next.
September 29, 2013
This is a cute book with English and Spanish text and has different fonts and sizes of text which keeps the book interesting to young readers. However, there is some advanced vocabulary which may cause young readers to struggle a little. Also, it would be very beneficial to provide to a young ESL student who is just learning English.
February 5, 2010
great fun.
March 17, 2010
Possibility as a dino read -
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews