Bundle Up, Penelope Rex!

Penelope Rex

by Ryan T. Higgins

#1 New York Times best-selling author-illustrator Ryan T. Higgins presents everyone's favorite dinosaur Penelope Rex in her board book debut, perfect for winter time.

Penelope Rex wants to play in the snow. Her pet saber tooth cat wants to help her get ready.

Join Penelope and Mittens the saber tooth cat as they prepare to play in the snow in this cozy and funny wintertime entry in the Penelope Rex canon.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Dinosaurs, Storytime

24 pages, Board Book

First published September 2, 2025

Reviews

[Annamarie Carlson (she, her)]

Board book Penelope Rex title with Froggy Gets Dressed vibes

[Shanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penelope Rex never fails to make me laugh! In her first book for toddlers, Penelope and her Sabertooth Tiger, Mittens, are getting ready to go play in the snow. Daddy Rex asks if Penelope has to go potty before they put on snow gear. In typical toddler fashion, she says “no.” So on they go, putting on boots and snow pants and hats. Will Penelope ever get outside to play? What will happen once she and Mittens go outside? Cute, fun and totally relatable!

Mia’s 2nd Year of Books: Day 220

#FirstToCheckOut

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Penelope and her saber-tooth cat Mittens want to go play in the snow. But getting ready is more of a process than Penelope thought it would be, and she doesn’t quite think things through like Daddy tried to get her to do.

This was a quick and humorous romp getting a little one ready for the snow with all the get up. Penelope’s father tells her to go potty before she gets ready, and she ignores her advice only to realize at the end that maybe she should have listened. Parents are likely to find this relatable while kids should find it funny.

[Nicole Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book for my honest opinion.

This sweet simple little book is all about the excitement of snow and not listening to your parents but with a dinosaur and sabertoothed tiger. I love all of the Penelope Rex book and I also love that this cute short story is in an affordable board book. A great little addition to the Penelope Rex series or a great way to start for toddlers. ers.

[CONSTANCE · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first board book published in the adorable (yes T-Rex’s can be adorable) picture book series. With more limited text than the other books, this one shows the process Penelope needs to go through before going outside to play in the snow with her pet saber tooth tiger, Kittens. The story is perfect for your youngest book loving child and when they are a bit older be sure to find the rest of the series
such as “Penelope Rex and the Problem with Pets” (ages 3-5) I especially enjoyed.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Board Book
Penelope wants to play in the snow with Mittens. Her father reminds her to use the bathroom before bundling up. Naturally, she doesn't and readers will predict where the story will finish. The humor shines through both the text and pictures. Young readers will enjoy all of the effort to get into snow gear and may relate. A fun read for a snowy day.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Snow! Time to go out and play! Dress warmly, Penelope. First - go to the bathroom. But -- I don't need to! Well, we all know how that will turn out! But there are a few surprises in this adorable book. Mittens adds to the mischief!

Perfect reading for a snowy day - I'm guessing this one will be greeted with Read it again! on a regular basis.

[Bethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone who is a parent knows where this story will go… Penelope wants to play in the snow and dresses up in all the winter gear but doesn’t need to use the bathroom. Cautionary tale for the board book crowd.

[Arielle Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute book! My kiddo has asked us to read this at least twice per night since we got it two weeks ago. Cute illustrations and good lesson about using the potty before getting dressed in snow gear.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Penelope Rex needs help to go out and play in the cold.

Why I started this book: Higgins is my favorite! And he's on my auto-buy list.

Why I finished it: Charming board book, written by someone who has definitely helped a young child bundle up to play outside in the snow.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cute - so true

[Miss Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple toddler and up book about getting dressed to go outside step bys tep with our favorite dinosaur Penelope Rex.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these picture books so much. I'm thrilled that it's a board book now!

[Lillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. If you haven’t read the other Penelope Rex books this one wouldn’t be as enjoyable.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

too cute

[Taylor Kundel-Gower · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the words of the great philosophers The Black Eyed Peas: SO REAL.

Not as funny as its predecessors, but Penelope Rex remains a total cutie pie in this relatable snow day tale.

[Therearenobadbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a laugh-out-loud every time we read it. Bundling up for snow days is not easy and time-consuming, and the end is a hilarious punch line.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

❄️ Oh man if you live where it snows and you have ever had to bundle a small child up to brave the weather then this book is PERFECT for both you and the little one in your life.

🦖 The illustrations are bold and fun and the story had me laughing out loud. My grandson certainly enjoyed it! This will for sure be a winter staple in our family. 💙👶🏻

Thank you to @tlcbooktours, @ryan_t._higgins, and @disneybooks for the copy for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this board book! The concept is perfect for preschoolers with a simple storyline and text. The ending with have parents laughing with their little ones!

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Christine Dinh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penelope Rex is a suitable character that a toddler, two, and preschooler would understand. A cute and humorous children book that both child and parent can relate to in a dinosaur form.

[Elisabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an adorable book! Loved it all! Wonderful illustrations with such a cute story!

[Lynne Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute. LOVE the art.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've ever had kids in a wintery place, chances are, you've experienced exactly what Penelope Rex did (from a parent or child POV).

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like the joke in this is entirely for adults, and yet Charlotte loved it.