The Mine-O-Saur

by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen

THE BOOK IS ABOUT TEACHING OUR CHILDREN HOW TO SHARE.

Genres: Picture Books, Dinosaurs, Childrens, Friendship, School, Fiction, Animals

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen is an award-winning children's book author whose books include Duck Duck Moose, Chicks Run Wild, Pirate Princess, Hampire!, and the forthcoming Orangutangled. She visits schools around the country to talk about the craft of writing to children of all ages. "Every book is an autobiography" is a favorite saying of hers, and a big part of her message is that everyone, grownup or child, has a story that is interesting and compelling—if you can find the right words to tell it. Sudipta lives outside Philadelphia with her children and an imaginary pony named Penny. You can learn more about her and her books on her website www.sudipta.com or at her blog www.NerdyChicksRule.com.

Reviews

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son checked this out from the library today and we just read it for bedtime. Such an adorable book with a good message about sharing and friendship :)

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Books with a message are the most frightening kind of picture book on the planet. They can go real bad, real preachy, and real ugly real fast. Self-published authors love `em. So too do new parents with unshakable beliefs in bibliotherapy. And as a children's librarian it is my job to wade through the lot of them to find the ones that are the best. When a parent walks up to you and says, "I want a picture book about sharing," you know that the clock is ticking and that you need to rustle up the goods right quick or they're going to be convinced that you don't know your Kellogg from your Kuskin. Well, ladies and gentlemen, I have excellent news. Ms. Bardhan-Quallen (I just like writing her name) and Mr. Clark have leapt above the double threat of lesson + rhymes to create a book that pans, scans, looks great, and tells its message in a manner pleasing to eye and ear. Plus it's got dinos. Everybody likes dinos.

There are dinosaurs and then there's the mine-o-saur. When all the other dinos are playing happily in the yard, this fellow bursts onto the scene with his signature cry of, "MINE! MINE! MINE!" Of course that makes him late for the school's snack time and when he sees all the other dinos in class chowing down his recklessness comes out and everyone's food is ruined. That, in turn, means cleaning up during recess, of course, and when he finally comes out and sees the others kids building with blocks. . . well, you can guess what happens. The end result is one lonely mine-o-saur and a bunch of fellows who refuse to play with him. Seeing the error of his ways, he makes amends, gives back everything he has taken (sans the devoured food, thankfully) and all is forgiven at the end.

Rhymes that don't scan drive me batty. They make the hairs on the back of my neck rise up and scream for mercy. With relief I found then that these rhymes scan just fine. The author doesn't bend over backwards to force extra syllables into a single sentence. Readers won't find themselves reading and rereading passages silently before doing a storytime with this book. The hard part has been done for you. Now the author DID make a choice to alternate the rhyming sections with non-rhyming ones, which is risky. That move could have backfired big-time, so it's remarkable that Bardhan-Quallen pulled it off as well as she did. In these sections, when the mine-o-saur sees something he wants, the words chant off the litany of his crimes until, at long last, his desire has been satiated and has waned. There's a bit of the old How the Grinch Stole Christmas! to the mine-o-saur's realization that the other dinos don't need toys to be happy.

Sometimes a book with dinos will attempt the difficult double duty squeeze. They'll have the informative lesson and then bend over backwards to ALSO include factual dino information. This is a move that should only be attempted by the most skillful of author/illustrators. Jane Yolen and Mark Teague probably have done it the best with their How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? series. In those books the names of each individual dino is subtly written on the periphery of his or her character. Bardhan-Quallen could have gone this route as well, and in a way she does. Dinos don't have names like Bobby or Susie but are named by species. Mrs. Raptor or Apatosaurus. No additional information on what they might eat at snack time (just scones, strudel bread, and butter tarts here) or the like. In a way it seems like a pity to pass up this chance, but the advantage to this is that the author doesn't have to bother keeping things strictly accurate. In return she then gets to pair a bunch of rhyming names together. For example, Iguanodon rhymes with Pteranodon and everyone is happy.

It's a fun one. You may prefer your Yolen or other dino tales for the basic manners of life, but when it comes to sharing books, "The Mine-o-saur" ain't half bad. It risks a couple genres and comes out tops. Worth a gander at any rate.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to read this to my 3 year old daughter at least 5 times a week so I figure I might as well put it on here.

[McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOWZERS! I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!

[Hannah Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

sharing is hard! This book justifies that, then teaches the lesson about sharing and how it's important.

[Maliha Arman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fun and exciting way to explore different emotions that one may experience. Children are able to relate to the concept in this book due to the main setting, which takes place in a school with peers. This book would be good to introduce in large group in the beginning of the year, to create some problem solving skills and create some classroom rules as a whole.

[Amy Buthelezi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book introduces literary techniques such as rhyming and personification, as well as the names of various dinosaurs. I also enjoyed the captivating, colorful illustrations. I like how the author used dinosaurs to act out specific routines that children carry out at school. This makes the story familiar and interesting for small children because they can relate to the events. Most importantly, this story teaches children a powerful message about kindness and sharing

[Mort · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books speaks on learning to share. Also to be friendly. Great book fair r the classroom.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this book is probably the reason why my son learned to say "mine", it's still a great book. It's cute and entertaining for adults who read with their kids. And it teaches manners (or at least tries to) which is probably the best part.

[Jannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The mine-o-saur greedily and messily hoards all toys and snacks in school and doesn't realize that this is not a good way to make friends until he realizes the other dinosaurs have left to play among themselves.

[Shannon Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is kind of sad, but then it gets happy. I know it to easy, but I like it.

[Martha Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book starts off with a group of dinosaurs that are playing at their school with some toys. Suddenly, they hear "MINE MINE MINE", and they all know it is the mineosaur. The mineosaur always wants to claim that everything is his and he never wants to share. He gets in trouble with the teacher a couple of times, but he doesn't care, as long as he has his stuff. The mineosaur then realizes that even when he has so much stuff, he is missing something else.

The cartoon images are filled with vibrant colors that catches the readers attention. The mineosaur is a dynamic character, as he changes throught the course of the book. The book ends with a closed ending.

I liked this book because it portrays an issue that many children face. It is vital for them to learn the importance of sharing.

[Veronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a splendid little story. The story revolves around the main character named Mine-o-saur. He would always take everything from his peers and wouldn't share. Soon, no one wanted to be around him or play with any of the toys. Mine-o-saur realized that it was not fun to be the one left out. He decided to bring back all the toys and share them with his classmates. This was the start of many friendships. I think children will like the brightly colored pages. I always think as a teacher, this book would serve as a great lesson on sharing. The illustrations remind me of over-dramatic versions of children themselves- sometimes resulting in a little chuckle. Overall, this book has a sweet, yet impactful lesson behind it.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some dinosaurs are playing on the playground. The Mine-O-Saur shows up and takes all of the toys, he follows this with taking all of the snacks, and blocks. The other dinosaurs are having fun away from the Mine-O-Saur with and he has nothing left to take. The Mine-O-Saur has a change of heart and gives the other dinos back their stuff and they allow him to play with them. All he wanted was friends.

This is a picture book because the book's illustrations are as much of the story as the words in the book.

I have taught a lesson on this for story structure because of the introduction, problem, escalation, climax, and resolve all are evident. This is a good book to show the difference of the main character and supporting characters as well. A writing aspect of this would be to have students write their own story with these parts of the story this book has. This book can also be used for bullying.

[Children's Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't like it. It was obviously written to teach sharing, which is the worst kind of picture book. Don't start with a message, start with great characters and a great plot. The whole plot is about teaching sharing, there's nothing else.

Part of it is written in prose, and part in rhyme. I actually prefer the rhyming parts, the prose is flat, the rhymes give this message-y book some energy.

If you need a book about sharing, this could do, since I can't think of any other off the top of my head. I don't like books with a clear message.

[Sterlande Altidor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is aimed at preschool children. It provides a great opportunity for parents to teach them the importance of sharing. The use of rhymes throughout the book will keep kids interested, and the addition of colorful illustrations, will be especially appealing to kids. This book turned out to be a very fun way to introduce new vocabulary word to children. I would recommend this book to any parents of little children who don't like to share or take turns.

[Faye Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a really powerful message behind it that is really good for teaching children the values of being kind, sharing and generosity, which are all values that we would like to have within the classroom. It gives the message in a friendly and subtle way which makes the meanings less harsh for younger children. Definitely a lighthearted way of tackling this issue if it is present within the class and will provoke thought amongst children.

[Madison Shiflett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very cute book that can teach students about sharing! It shows what happens when you don't share with those around you, and how it can make you and others feel. It can definitely be used as a learning tool for all students, especially when they are first starting school! It is filled with bright colored pictures that are sure to grab the attention of its readers. The rhyming in the book also makes it very pleasing to listen to!

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute book to illustrate how sharing is important from one dinosaur to another by the end of the book War child at least minded will be stuck on repeat saying mine mine mine because of that wonderful mino-saur. The minus World learned that taking things from other people isn't Fun especially if there's no one else to play with

[Suzanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nobody wants to be with the mine-o-saur because he takes everything. He gets lonely so he gives people back their toys. They invite him to play and Mine-o-saur learns how to be happy sharing. This would be a good book to work on social skills with pre-kinders. I am excited about the topic and how the author used dinosaurs to appeal to a common interest for the age group.

[Mr. Troy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Mine-O-Saur by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen encapsulates what it feels like to others when someone will not share and be a great friend.

[Samantha Preeo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A funny story to teach a very valuable lesson for young children! It was a very cute story that shows materialist things aren't always what is important. This book would be great with early elementary or even younger students to show them sharing is caring!

[Maddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book that teaches children about sharing with friends. It is colorful and also teaches children about different dinosaurs. This is a good book to read at the start of the year or when you notice children are not sharing.

[Marie Arie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dinasour who at first doesn't know how to play very nicely. He is mean to all of his friends but realizes he cant be that way if he wants friends to play with. A great book highlighting friendship and sharing.

[Anita Marlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a colorful and funny book. There are chances we can ask children's opinions and let them express what they think about sharing and friendship after the story. Children will learn many vocabularies and dinosaur names in this book. I will prefer to read this book to the age 3 and above.

[mamma.needsabook · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Mine-O-Saur" is a picture book about a dinosaur who learns that sharing is more fun than keeping everything to himself. With fun rhymes and vibrant illustrations, the story teaches young readers the importance of friendship and sharing.

[Leigh Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute book to teach children about sharing. It has great colorful pictures and a fun story line to follow. This is a story that children can relate to throughout the lesson.

[Manal Cheikh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so cute and funny! It can be used to teach students how important it is to share.I could also use this book to teach rhyming because it rhymes throughout the story.

[Raquel Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was funny. The dinosaur was very creative. The pictures were bright and colorful. Great book for prek class.

[Lee Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, silly, and teaches a good lesson. 3/5 stars.