The Picture Book Perspective: We Don't Eat Our Classmates
This week, we’re chomping down on a delightful and hilarious picture book: We Don't Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins. This charming tale takes a bite out of the challenges of fitting in and learning self-control, with a toothy twist that will have you and your little ones laughing out loud.
Historical and Cultural Perspectives
We Don't Eat Our Classmates was published in 2018 and quickly became a favorite among children, parents, and educators. Ryan T. Higgins, known for his witty and engaging storytelling, has created a book that speaks to the universal experience of starting school and the anxiety that comes with it. By featuring a T. rex named Penelope Rex, Higgins cleverly uses humor to address serious topics, making them more accessible and less intimidating for young readers.
In a world where diversity and inclusion are increasingly emphasized, this book stands out by subtly addressing the importance of understanding and respecting differences. Penelope's journey of self-discovery and learning to navigate her impulses mirrors the social-emotional growth that children experience in real-life situations.
Social-Emotional Content
At its core, We Don't Eat Our Classmates is a story about empathy, self-control, and the power of friendship. Penelope Rex's initial instinct to eat her classmates (because, let's face it, they are delicious!) highlights the importance of impulse control—a crucial skill for young children. Her interactions with her classmates teach her about empathy and the impact of her actions on others.
Penelope's journey is a great conversation starter about how everyone has feelings and how our actions can affect those around us. It’s also a reassuring reminder that making mistakes is part of learning, and with a little understanding and effort, we can all find our place.
Using the Book for Kids: Tips for Parents and Teachers
Discussion on Emotions: Use Penelope’s story to talk about feelings. Ask your children how they think Penelope felt when she realized she scared her classmates. How did the other children feel? Discuss times when they might have felt scared or misunderstood.
Role-Playing: Create scenarios where children can practice empathy and self-control. They can role-play being Penelope and her classmates, finding ways to resolve conflicts peacefully and kindly.
Art Projects: Encourage kids to draw their own dinosaur characters and think about what challenges they might face in a classroom. This can lead to a discussion about how everyone is different and how we can support each other.
Classroom Rules: Use the book as a fun way to introduce or reinforce classroom rules. Create a list of “classroom do’s and don’ts” with your children, inspired by Penelope’s story.
Empathy Exercises: Engage in activities that build empathy, such as reading other books about understanding and kindness, or having children share stories about times they helped someone else feel included.
Humorous Takeaway
Let's be honest: who hasn’t felt like Penelope Rex at some point? Whether it's eyeing the last slice of pizza at a party or resisting the urge to binge-watch another episode, we all have moments when our inner dinosaur threatens to take over. But just like Penelope, we learn that with a little self-control and a lot of empathy, we can make friends instead of meals out of our classmates.
So next time you're feeling a bit too carnivorous, just remember Penelope's lesson: it's a lot more fun to make friends than to eat them.
Until next time, keep those teeth to yourselves and remember:
Where There's A. Williams, There's A Way.
Happy reading!
Adam
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Do you have a picture book for Adam to review? Email us your suggestion at beastlybanterblog@gmail.com
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