This is a book that was just waiting for someone to write it. I’m glad that Elaine Kiely Kearns was there for the creating, because she knows dinosaurs, the dynamics of the childhood “NO,” and how to make all of this funny.
First, there is such a thing as a noasaurus. And it’s fitting that scientists believe it was about the size of a small child. It looks quite a bit like our main character, Noah.
Noah is a little guy who woke up on the wrong side of the bed, and lets everyone know—or in this case “NO.”
Text ©Elaine Kiely Kearns Illustrations ©Colin Jack
We know this child, right? We’ve lived with them. (Heck, we’ve all been this child.) They woke up submerged in negativity and don’t know how to shake it.
Here we see Noah saying:
Text ©Elaine Kiely Kearns Illustrations ©Colin Jack
What part of “NO” don’t we understand? Then Noah’s mother, brother, and father try to placate the little nay-sayer with food, games or other tasty treats. He cuts them short, slams the door on the way out of his house, and is instantly greeted by one of his friends.
“Good morning, Noah Noasaurus,” said Toby Rex. “Where are you off to?
“Nowhere,” Noah grumbled.
“Nowhere? Ooooooh, that sounds fun! I’ll come with you!”
Noah kept walking.
“NO.”
One by one, more dinosaurs join in the effort. And thankfully, Noah’s friends don’t give up on this negative kid. In a tantrum-laden, stomping, huffing, mud-splattered scene, Noah learns to laugh at himself and with his friends, and finally reaches the “right side of the bed” as he answers the question:
“Is there anything better than a muddy parade with friends?””
Noah Noasauraus flashed a wide smile and shouted…
“NO!!”
Colin Jack’s illustrations are so playful and expressive, you don’t have to be able to read a word to witness Noah’s transformation. I can see kids wanting to turn this into a play or taking Noah’s part in a read aloud. It is just soo much fun to get all that negativity out in the open and then let it dissipate. Highly recommended!
Resources/Activities:
Act out Noah Noasaurus. Take turns playing Noah. Discuss how it feels to go from being an angry dinosaur to a happy one.
Use pictures from the book or draw dinosaurs that look angry, grumpy, happy, or sad. Discuss the features of each dinosaur that clue the viewer in to how each dinosaur is feeling.
Make two collages, one for “No” things and one for “YES” things. Which collage has the most pictures? Discuss how to fill up the page with more “YES” things. Are there ways to turn a “NO” into a “YES”?
Check out this website for ways to deal with negative thinking.
Or this website from WorryWiseKids about overcoming negative thinking.
TITLE: Noah Noasaurus
AUTHOR: Elaine Kiely Kearns
ILLUSTRATOR: Colin Jack
PUBLISHER: Albert Whitman, 2019
AGES: 3-6
THEMES: Negative behavior, Self-awareness, friendship
For more perfect picture book recommendations, visit Susanna Hill’s blog.
This book looks adorable. Wait, NO it doesn’t. Yes it does, really it does. When you mentioned that “you don’t have to be able to read a word to witness Noah’s transformation,” I flashed back to all the kids I would see at the library “reading” their books. They would create such wonderful stories. I hope the same happens with this book.
Ha! It will!!! Kids will LOVE “reading” this book through its illustrations.
Thank you so much, Sarah!
what a great premise for all the little no-asauruses out there!!
And a good reminder for adults that we, too, often need to take a step back and laugh at our grumpiness.
Thank you, Beth!
What a great book for when kids wake up grouchy! Love the support and understanding Noah receives from friends.
I needed this book when I was a kid, LOL. And yes, Noah’s friends don’t stop at “NO!”
Thank you, Patricia!
I’ve had this book on reserve at my library for a while. I hope it comes in soon. I LOVE your yes and no collage idea! That could be a fun project to do with my daughter. Thanks for sharing this fun book! 🙂
Hope it comes in soon! I would love to see the results of your collage!
Hi Leslie! Did it come in? Thank you SO much for asking for it!
Oh, this is so much fun to see Elaine’s awesome sense of humor in her debut picture book. FUNNY!
I see her joining the ranks of Stacy McAnulty, Ame Dyckman, Dev Petty, Samantha Berger, Laurie Keller, Tammi Sauer, etc……
Thank you, Joanna!
I definitely need to get my hands on this one. Our class is learning about dinosaurs so this would be a fun book to throw into the mix!
That’s a terrific idea! I think they’ll recognize the dinos and the universal emotions.
I know that I am a little late (so sorry!) but I’d love to do a SKYPE visit with your class (free) about the book. If you’re ending for the year we could always do it in the fall! Let me know. (I am an elementary school teacher, too!) Thank you!
PS- A noasaurus is a REAL dinosaur!
I am going to be looking for this one! I love your activity suggestions. 🙂
Yay! It should be in your library or at your local bookstore! I’m glad you like the activities. I was thinking about some things we’d done during library time when my son was in elementary school.
Thank you, Andrea!
Ah the proverbial, “no.” Great topic for a PB and this one is so well done. Elaine did such a great job.
That first page “NO” makes me smile EVERY time I read it.
Thank you, Maria!
I love this book, Jilanne. Thanks for sharing it!
It’s got a very huggable main character, one that kids and adults can really identify with. I’m glad you love the book!
Thank you!
Love this book! It looks super clever and adorable. Will have to try and get my hands on a copy!
Great post ❤️
It should either be in your local library or at your local indie bookstore. Thanks for stopping by!
Thank you!