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Dinosaur vs.
Dinosaur vs. Bedtime
Fans of No, David! will love this not- quite -ready-for-bedtime book that launched a top-selling series—by favorite funny man Bob Shea!
Roaaaar! Roaaaar! This little dinosaur usually wins everything, and nothing can stop him—not talking grownups, spaghetti, or even bath time. But what happens when he faces the biggest challenge of all—bedtime? With a dramatic, giggle-inducing storytime text including irresistible ROAARS , little dinosaurs will be begging for this book to be read again and again!
"Prepare your dinosaur voices and exaggerated roars, because this is a read-aloud that children will ask for over and over. When it comes to Dinosaur vs. the mom or dad reader, Dinosaur wins!" — Bookpage
Don't miss the other Dinosaur Vs. books:
Dinosaur Vs. Mommy
Dinosaur Vs. School
Dinosaur Vs. the Potty
Dinosaur Vs. the Library
Roaaaar! Roaaaar! This little dinosaur usually wins everything, and nothing can stop him—not talking grownups, spaghetti, or even bath time. But what happens when he faces the biggest challenge of all—bedtime? With a dramatic, giggle-inducing storytime text including irresistible ROAARS , little dinosaurs will be begging for this book to be read again and again!
"Prepare your dinosaur voices and exaggerated roars, because this is a read-aloud that children will ask for over and over. When it comes to Dinosaur vs. the mom or dad reader, Dinosaur wins!" — Bookpage
Don't miss the other Dinosaur Vs. books:
Dinosaur Vs. Mommy
Dinosaur Vs. School
Dinosaur Vs. the Potty
Dinosaur Vs. the Library
40 pages, Hardcover
First published September 9, 2008
17 people are currently reading
2305 people want to read
About the author
Bob Shea
61 books350 followersBob Shea has written and illustrated over a dozen picture books including the popular Dinosaur vs. Bedtime and the cult favorite Big Plans illustrated by Lane Smith.
His characters and animations have appeared on Nick Jr, Playhouse Disney and PBS Kids.
Bob spends his days writing, drawing and having “conversations” with NPR.
His characters and animations have appeared on Nick Jr, Playhouse Disney and PBS Kids.
Bob spends his days writing, drawing and having “conversations” with NPR.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 335 reviews
December 7, 2008
greg said this book reminded him of me. its true i can beat spaghetti.
November 6, 2015
You know how stories can be told in completely different ways by inflection, alone? Well this is a new story every time I read it to my daughter. Some parts get drawn out, embellished, and expanded. Others have a very humorous turn that reaches the pure and mighty heights of satire.
But mostly, it's all about the roars.
I honestly have a great time hamming this one up. I can be as loud and obnoxious as I want, and I don't even have to convert it into semi-clever turns of phrase.
Oh, the Joy!
Best of all, my daughter loves it.
And best for me, it's not a god awful dull piece of shit with shifty and/or incomprehensible morals that require a fucking PHD to unravel or 20 years as a practicing priest to find peace after reading it. Bonus!
But mostly, it's all about the roars.
I honestly have a great time hamming this one up. I can be as loud and obnoxious as I want, and I don't even have to convert it into semi-clever turns of phrase.
Oh, the Joy!
Best of all, my daughter loves it.
And best for me, it's not a god awful dull piece of shit with shifty and/or incomprehensible morals that require a fucking PHD to unravel or 20 years as a practicing priest to find peace after reading it. Bonus!
November 1, 2022
Read for my toddler's bedtime. Dinosaur versus everything everything like spaghetti and brushing teeth and wins but he lose at one thing.
Book was donated my toddler from her cousin.
Book was donated my toddler from her cousin.
November 6, 2008
Oh. Mygod. How much do children love reading this book. Even kids who aren't reading yet can read this book. And they love to do it!
I finally got a chance to read it to my two kids tonight, but even then I didn't really! They chimed in with all the ROAR ROAR ROARs, they loved doing a high-pitched, hysterical announcer voice for every challenge the dinosaur faces: "Dinosaur versus... A BOWL OF SPAGHETTI!!" and oh GOD did they love "Dinosaur versus... TALKING GROWN-UPS!" BLAH! BLAH! BLAH! BLAH! BLAH!
And they even enjoyed the winding-down part of this tried-and-true story arc, as Dinosaur's ROARs wane and his eyelids droop, until finally, "Bedtime wins." Usually, my kids are too savvy - they see it coming and they kind of roll their eyes, "Oh sure, of course the kid runs out of steam and it's time for bed." They know it's a ploy meant to get THEM into bed, and they resent it. But it's so fun to turn those ROARs into yawns, they buy in completely.
Bob Shea, king of the LOUD picture book.
I finally got a chance to read it to my two kids tonight, but even then I didn't really! They chimed in with all the ROAR ROAR ROARs, they loved doing a high-pitched, hysterical announcer voice for every challenge the dinosaur faces: "Dinosaur versus... A BOWL OF SPAGHETTI!!" and oh GOD did they love "Dinosaur versus... TALKING GROWN-UPS!" BLAH! BLAH! BLAH! BLAH! BLAH!
And they even enjoyed the winding-down part of this tried-and-true story arc, as Dinosaur's ROARs wane and his eyelids droop, until finally, "Bedtime wins." Usually, my kids are too savvy - they see it coming and they kind of roll their eyes, "Oh sure, of course the kid runs out of steam and it's time for bed." They know it's a ploy meant to get THEM into bed, and they resent it. But it's so fun to turn those ROARs into yawns, they buy in completely.
Bob Shea, king of the LOUD picture book.
December 15, 2008
Roar, roar, roar! The dinosaur takes on falling leaves, talking grownups, spaghetti, and bathtime and wins everytime! It is only when he takes on his biggest challenge of all - bedtime - that the dinosaur meets his match.
My 5-year-old dinosaurs adored this and we read it over and over. Bright and lively illustrations carry the story and allow lots of room for participation with the sound effects. This is a fabulous package that is a winner on all levels, design, artwork, palette, and text. And best of all - kids love it!
My 5-year-old dinosaurs adored this and we read it over and over. Bright and lively illustrations carry the story and allow lots of room for participation with the sound effects. This is a fabulous package that is a winner on all levels, design, artwork, palette, and text. And best of all - kids love it!
March 27, 2019
The whole "Dinosaur vs..." range is a bit hit in our house. These are some of our go-to books each night for reading and I'm thankful our local library has a good selection of them.
Each book features Dinosaur taking on various events like going to school, learning to use the potty, or going to bed. Our favorite is "Dinosaur vs Bedtime" in which Dinosaur fights going to bed but (SPOILER alert) ultimately succumbs to sleeping. "Dinosaur vs Bedtime" is one of the books that Shortcake can read back to me, including knowing where to turn the pages.
However, she enjoys it far more when I read it to her with silly sounds (Dinosaur taking on talking grown-ups is a particular favorite) and acting out Dinosaur slowly giving into sleep.
Bob Shea's books are fun, entertaining and a huge hit in our house. There are even some short animated videos on YouTube for Dinosaur.
Each book features Dinosaur taking on various events like going to school, learning to use the potty, or going to bed. Our favorite is "Dinosaur vs Bedtime" in which Dinosaur fights going to bed but (SPOILER alert) ultimately succumbs to sleeping. "Dinosaur vs Bedtime" is one of the books that Shortcake can read back to me, including knowing where to turn the pages.
However, she enjoys it far more when I read it to her with silly sounds (Dinosaur taking on talking grown-ups is a particular favorite) and acting out Dinosaur slowly giving into sleep.
Bob Shea's books are fun, entertaining and a huge hit in our house. There are even some short animated videos on YouTube for Dinosaur.
November 30, 2019
November 1 2008
Easy enough for the most beginning of readers, but oh, so fun to read aloud with the ROARING. Lots of great ROARs. A good one for showing a child how typography suggests volume and tone, without requiring discussion of those issues.
***
June 21 2012
I did not read it aloud this time. I sat on the sofa, with my daughters on either side, all of us reading. Given the tendency to share funny lines aloud, it wasn't all that quiet in there with our three books, even though I wasn't ROARing. Veronica was reading So Yesterday and Natasha was reading Half-Minute Horrors, both books I've also read. I've no idea where reading taste comes from, but we three have strong overlap in our preferences. Anyway, Shea gave me a happily nostalgic moment of recalling the girls when they were younger, while enjoying them in the present. Life can always use more of these sorts of pleasures.
Library copy.
Easy enough for the most beginning of readers, but oh, so fun to read aloud with the ROARING. Lots of great ROARs. A good one for showing a child how typography suggests volume and tone, without requiring discussion of those issues.
***
June 21 2012
I did not read it aloud this time. I sat on the sofa, with my daughters on either side, all of us reading. Given the tendency to share funny lines aloud, it wasn't all that quiet in there with our three books, even though I wasn't ROARing. Veronica was reading So Yesterday and Natasha was reading Half-Minute Horrors, both books I've also read. I've no idea where reading taste comes from, but we three have strong overlap in our preferences. Anyway, Shea gave me a happily nostalgic moment of recalling the girls when they were younger, while enjoying them in the present. Life can always use more of these sorts of pleasures.
Library copy.
June 16, 2017
This is probably my favorite "Dinosaur vs. ..." book. My toddlers and pre-schoolers really loved roaring along with me.
October 3, 2008
Shea of the charming New Socks returns with another winning picture book for toddlers and preschoolers. Dinosaur meets each challenge in his day with a huge ROAR! He wins again and again against dire threats such as leaf piles, the big slide, spaghetti and even talking grownups! But there is one thing he has trouble defeating: bedtime. Will Dinosaur be able to overcome it this time?
Shea manages to translate the toddler experience directly to the page. With few words, a bright red dinosaur with a mouth full of pointy teeth, and rhythm and repetition, he has created a perfect story to share with toddler groups. Getting the children to join in the ROAR-ing will be no trouble. Getting them to stop may be!
Highly recommended for children ages 2-4. Share this title when they are headed outside and let the ROAR-ing commence!
Shea manages to translate the toddler experience directly to the page. With few words, a bright red dinosaur with a mouth full of pointy teeth, and rhythm and repetition, he has created a perfect story to share with toddler groups. Getting the children to join in the ROAR-ing will be no trouble. Getting them to stop may be!
Highly recommended for children ages 2-4. Share this title when they are headed outside and let the ROAR-ing commence!
February 3, 2023
January 2016: Matt naturally added this to his Amazon wish list for Baby Benjamin and we got around to reading it at bedtime! Benji was not, unfortunately, in his dino pjs at the time, but we will plan accordingly next time. Still a family favorite - especially all the roaring!
Sept 2012: This has to be Matt's favorite children's book discovered as an adult. He found it in a children's library once and now everytime we see it somewhere he has to read it! Again, he loves everything with dinosaurs geared towards children, and naturally a book about not wanting to go to bed is great for kids too!
Sept 2012: This has to be Matt's favorite children's book discovered as an adult. He found it in a children's library once and now everytime we see it somewhere he has to read it! Again, he loves everything with dinosaurs geared towards children, and naturally a book about not wanting to go to bed is great for kids too!
May 5, 2025
Dinosaurs cause trouble at bedtime...I KNEW IT! Will try to finish this series this year. I really like books that feature dinos in situations that are impossible (a baby T-Rex that does not want to go to bed. My soft spot for dino books is because I wanted to be a paleontologist when I was a little boy. Reading dino books always takes me back.
November 25, 2008
Checked this out from the libaray - Quinn can basically "read" it to us. He of course can't read yet but he can sum up each page before he even turns to it. It is so funny to watch him read this and make the dinosaur ROAR noises. We are going to have to go and buy this one.
December 31, 2008
I LOVE THIS BOOK! I wish something like this, with wide appeal for the masses, would win Caldecott. Perfect for Dinosaur storytime. Dinosaur can defeat anything--bath time, dinner time, just... not... (yawn)... bedtime.
December 1, 2008
This has to be one of my all-time favorite childrens book. Come on...we have all little "dinosaurs" at home sometimes, right?
January 14, 2009
Dinosaur can defeat anything he comes up against but his worthiest challenger will be bedtime. Loved it one of my new favorites. Great for bedtime. Ages 2+
March 31, 2009
Okay, this one was a total suprise. Perhaps it was in the reading, but my kids of various ages all loved it and unanimously gave it five stars. Spunky little dinosaur.
April 14, 2009
ROAR!
June 11, 2013
Roar, roar, ROAR!! (That's FIVE big stars!)
February 26, 2016
Literally just a bunch of roars -_____- blah this book.
September 27, 2016
A cute series........
December 21, 2008
Loved this raucous look at the bedtime struggle. ROAR. Who doesn't love to WIN?
January 11, 2019
I can’t not read this in a Strongbad voice, apparently.
February 15, 2021
We have dinosaur lovers in this house - so this book is a perfect, entertaining bedtime treat. Especially when read by Daddy.
November 27, 2013
In Dinosaur vs. Bedtime, Bob Shea uses naïve, comic illustration style, combined with bold text, bright colors and a dash of mixed media to create a visually interesting, adventure of a book that will definitely appeal to preschoolers. This simple storyline invites reader participation as a very busy little dinosaur tackles everyday challenges like “the big slide,” a bowl of spaghetti and talking grownups, triumphing over each with a giant roar! Roar! ROAR! With its predictable storyline, repetitive text, and familiar scenarios that are typical to a preschooler’s world, this fun and inviting book would be an excellent choice for reader participation, and print awareness. Shea’s illustrations are bold, with heavy lines that are easy to see, and his selective inclusion of mixed media imagery—the giant bowl of spaghetti for example, adds an additional element of texture and visual interest. Furthermore, Shea manipulates page layout, image placement, and narrative flow to keep the reader’s interest throughout. We see everything from the perspective of a young child. The “talking grownups” that Dinosaur must conquer are only shown from the legs down, the slide feels exciting as we experience it through Dinosaur’s eyes. This book simply begs to be read with enthusiasm, allowing readers to share in the delight of “winning” as they roar, Roar, ROAR right along with Dinosaur. The typeset and font size give visual clues as to the volume at which one should be “roaring” the text. Shea’s spare narrative succeeds in building up a feeling of repeated anticipation through imagery. As tiny Dinosaur conquers each challenge with a big ROAR, he grows in size taking up a full page—“DINOSAUR WINS”—and then on the subsequent page he is small again and roaring quietly in anticipation of his next challenge. Additionally, Shea’s bold use of color helps children to easily identify Dinosaur’s different moods as he attacks and defeats each consecutive challenge. Preschool children will identify with the rowdy dinosaur who tackles every challenge with gusto, and because they enjoy imaginative play, they will easily understand that the “dinosaur” in the book is actually a child playing pretend. When sharing this book I might add a creative dramatic or participatory element by having the audience play the part of the dinosaur as I present each “opponent” to be “roared down” by the dinosaur audience. This story might lend itself to a successful puppet and prop rendition as well.
March 7, 2012
I'm a big fan of Bob Shea and his books. We bought
Big Plans
after the boys kept taking the book out of the library every chance they could. So when my heart-sister, Barb, sent along Dinosaur vs Bedtime for my youngest (who is going through a dinosaur phase), I was excited to break it out and read it.
And none of us were disappointed. This book is much shorter on words than Big Plans, and for this book, it works. It tells the story in short bursts, showing scenes familiar to any parent of a toddler. Dinosaur faces off against many foes that are thrown in his way - spaghetti, bath time, talking grown-ups. In each and every case, Dinosaur is triumphant. And he has high hopes when he fights bed time. But as any parent knows, eventually, bed time gets the better of energetic little dinosaurs.
The artwork is simple and fun, bringing out the important points (from Dinosaur's point of view). And the words on the page are large, just begging to be yelled in an announcer voice. You just can't help yourself. This book is one that can't sit by and be told passively. It's a book to be experienced. And with the staccato bursts of words and multitudes of roars, it's something that kids can get involved with as well. My three year old loves to yell out the roars while my six year old loves to call out what Dinosaur is up against next. It truly is a book that we, as a family, love to read together.
If you'd like to hear Bob Shea tell the story behind how Dinosaur vs Bedtime was written, along with listening to him read it himself, you can find it here on Vimeo.
And none of us were disappointed. This book is much shorter on words than Big Plans, and for this book, it works. It tells the story in short bursts, showing scenes familiar to any parent of a toddler. Dinosaur faces off against many foes that are thrown in his way - spaghetti, bath time, talking grown-ups. In each and every case, Dinosaur is triumphant. And he has high hopes when he fights bed time. But as any parent knows, eventually, bed time gets the better of energetic little dinosaurs.
The artwork is simple and fun, bringing out the important points (from Dinosaur's point of view). And the words on the page are large, just begging to be yelled in an announcer voice. You just can't help yourself. This book is one that can't sit by and be told passively. It's a book to be experienced. And with the staccato bursts of words and multitudes of roars, it's something that kids can get involved with as well. My three year old loves to yell out the roars while my six year old loves to call out what Dinosaur is up against next. It truly is a book that we, as a family, love to read together.
If you'd like to hear Bob Shea tell the story behind how Dinosaur vs Bedtime was written, along with listening to him read it himself, you can find it here on Vimeo.
February 22, 2011
My mother-in-law was not pleased when I started roaring in the middle of the bookstore when I first found this bad boy. It was instant love, Little Dinosaur and I were meant to be together, and Christmas shopping made a handy excuse to bring him home with me. The bright colors, the simple but humorous illustrations, and the chance to roar like a dinosaur make this book a hit with everyone.
Little Dinosaur, with his mighty roars, can win at everything, no one can stand against him. Not a pile of leaves, a bowl of spaghetti, the toothbrush, or boring adults. A little bit of roaring and jumping and DINOSAUR WINS! After defeating the bath tub and the toothbrush, Dinosaur moves on to his greatest challenge - bedtime. Unfortunately he is no match for bedtime and his roars gradually quite down and turn into snores.
I'm not sure how good a bedtime book this is since I always end up running around and roaring when I read it, but it is so much fun! It is impossible not to giggle when reading this story. Little Dinosaur is just so cute, even when he's grumbly. I do find that Dinosaur vs. Bedtime works best with children in the 3-7 age range, but I have read it to 10 year olds and it was still fun. I give it 6 stars, you need this one people, go get it now!
Little Dinosaur, with his mighty roars, can win at everything, no one can stand against him. Not a pile of leaves, a bowl of spaghetti, the toothbrush, or boring adults. A little bit of roaring and jumping and DINOSAUR WINS! After defeating the bath tub and the toothbrush, Dinosaur moves on to his greatest challenge - bedtime. Unfortunately he is no match for bedtime and his roars gradually quite down and turn into snores.
I'm not sure how good a bedtime book this is since I always end up running around and roaring when I read it, but it is so much fun! It is impossible not to giggle when reading this story. Little Dinosaur is just so cute, even when he's grumbly. I do find that Dinosaur vs. Bedtime works best with children in the 3-7 age range, but I have read it to 10 year olds and it was still fun. I give it 6 stars, you need this one people, go get it now!
April 15, 2013
This is a picture book for very young children who love dinosaurs but might be reluctant to get ready for bed. Bob Shea writes a story about how a tiny red T-Rex challenges various nighttime activities as he prepares to go against his worst enemy, bedtime. The story is filled with “roars!” as the dinosaur beats activities as sliding down a slide, eating a bowl of spaghetti, brushing his teeth, taking a bath, and others. Each activity the dinosaur is declared the winner, until he loses to bedtime as he falls asleep. The illustrations are very simple, which is one aspect that I did not care for that much. However, I would still recommend this book as a nighttime read for parents because of how it portrays a little dinosaur getting ready for bed. Maybe the child can connect with the dinosaur and become interested in eating dinner, taking a bath, brushing their teeth, and going to bed.
April 30, 2012
My wife picked this book out during one of our "holy crap we're having a kid" trips to B&N. We're not due until September, but I still read this book out loud on occasion, just for the pure joy of getting to practice my "ROAR ROAR ROAR" for future story times. The book has become part of the waiting for the kid traditions in our house in a way other books haven't yet.
And I'd be lying if I said I didn't occasionally roar around the house, or declare "dinosaur vs. fried chicken...DINOSAUR WINS" at dinner.
We plan to have all three (fourth comes out just after our due date) Dinosaur Vs. books in our collection in time for the big day.
And I'd be lying if I said I didn't occasionally roar around the house, or declare "dinosaur vs. fried chicken...DINOSAUR WINS" at dinner.
We plan to have all three (fourth comes out just after our due date) Dinosaur Vs. books in our collection in time for the big day.
June 13, 2013
What could be wrong with a picture book about a fierce young dinosaur tackling the joys (a pile of leaves) and hassles (grownups talking, bath and toothbrushing) of preschool life? Each spread is "roar roar roar Dinosaur vs..." and then on the next page the 'opponent', followed by "Dinosaur wins!" But when Dinosaur faces his toughest opponent, he roooaarss himself off to sleep. Kids will love to repeat "DINOSAUR WINS!" and for the rough-and-tumble crowd this makes a good repetitive bedtime wind-down. (Admittedly, the dinosaur's mouth placement in the illustrations bugs me-- it disappears into his shirt collar-- but my son doesn't mind it at all.
November 18, 2008
In a word, cute. Children will enjoy the script, so long as the reader adds appropriate grit to the ample roars. Parents will appreciate the test of wills and ultimate victor in this short and colorful bedtime story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 335 reviews