Chill, Chomp, Chill!: A Funny Picture Book About a T. Rex Preschooler Managing Big Feelings for Children

by Chris Ayala-Kronos, Paco Sordo (Illustrator)

Meet Chomp, a preschooler with lots of feelings . . . who is also a T. Rex! Join him as he learns to navigate his emotions in this timely debut picture book complete with a downloadable companion song. From losing a toy to making a huge mistake on the kickball field, Chomp is a lovable T. Rex going through tough and relatable preschool experiences. When Chomp is about to lose his temper and act out, he uses mindfulness as a tool to better understand his emotions. Whether it's sharing toys, feeling left out, or making mistakes, every child encounters frustrating situations in the classroom setting and at home. This picture book helps kids identify, understand, and cope with their feelings. With bright, humorous, and playful illustrations and a memorable companion song, children will all want to chill with Chomp as they learn chill skills to manage their emotions in sticky situations through his example. Should Chomp roar? Should Chomp stomp? Should Chomp . . . CHOMP? Chill, Chomp. Chill!

Genres: Picture Books, Storytime, Dinosaurs, Emotion, School, Childrens, Animals

32 pages, Hardcover

Published August 17, 2021

Reviews

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Young children can feel stressed too. Whether it's not getting your way, feeling left out or making a mistake, Chomp has skills for ways to chill.
Includes additional skills to chill on the book jacket inside the back cover.

[Vernon Area Public Library KIDS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catchy refrain that looks at Chomp the alligator going through a variety of stress-inducing situations. Instead of roaring, stomping, or chomping, Chomp is encouraged to chill (awash in blues and whites) and breathe as long as he needs to.

Reviewed by: Miss Kelsey, Youth and School Services, Vernon Area Public Library

[Brandon Dyer (Children's Librarian) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tiny T-Rex named, Chomp, is having a couple of strong emotional reactions during school one day. Chomp thinks about all the outcomes he could do when having a strong emotional reaction before taking a deep breath, counting to 5, or walking away to prevent an outburst.

Christ Ayala-Kronos does a great job incorporating engagement to the readers by asking the readers what Chomp should do. Readers can answer the question with a yes or no answer or broaden the conversation by asking the reader what they would do in Chomp’s situation. My favorite part is the big blue air bubble text that says Chill Chomp Chill, while showing appropriate emotional responses that everyone should do when in an emotional response state.

This book is great for teachers and parents who are teaching social and emotional learning at home or in the classroom.

I am so glad that I am adding this book to my library collection and I know patrons will check out this book multiple times.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has no real plot, but would be great to read to a group (K-2nd grade) that you are trying to teach about mindfulness or anger management. Although not for story time, but this book definitely has its place in teaching manners!

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will definitely use in storytime but maybe not until after Covid because all the kids will be yelling and I don't know that I want that just yet.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reminded me of "Rex Wrecks It" in illustration style as well as story. Very simple. Chomp is a preschool dinosaur, who has trouble regulating his emotions/calm down strategies. I brought this home, just for a little lady I know needs help with those.
You get a quick intro to what Chomp is encountering or being asked to do, then the reader is asked "what should Chomp do?" Next is a two page spread with "Should Chomp ...? Should Chomp ...? Should Chomp chomp?" Turn the page for "Chill, Chomp, chill!" with illustrations of the calm down strategies. This repeats about 3-4 times with different situations Chomp encounters. Both girls immediately joined in with the repetition.

The calm down strategies or "Chomp's chill skills" were "sing a song, read a book, squeeze a ball, go for a walk, take a deep breath, let yourself think, bounce, count to 10, and take a drink."

[Jessica Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the idea of teaching very young children to practice skills to help themselves work through strong emotions. It isn't a bad book, but there are a couple things for me that knocked it down. Firstly the illustrations are very bright and bold, which is a style I don't love. Feels a little overwhelming. Secondly, it just felt a little lacking on the writing part. Yes, it is simple for young kids but the target audience would have adults reading to them. It's almost to paired down. A little more story would have been nice.

I would not own this book, but I'm glad my library had a copy. I would be willing to read this to my kids at the library but wouldn't want to take it home for fear of having to read it again and again.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Age: Toddler-Kindergarten
SEL: Breathing for calm technique

Catchy refrain that looks at Chomp the alligator going through a variety of stress-inducing situations. Instead of roaring, stomping, or chomping, Chomp is encouraged to chill (awash in blues and whites) and breathe as long as he needs to.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the theme of emotional management--a little dinosaur experiences some big emotions throughout the day. The repeated phrase of "chill, Chomp, chill" is repeated throughout. I think parents will find these hypothetical situations useful to discuss with their kids how to handle big emotions. Most of the situations are school related.

[Abbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chomp is a t-rex preschooler who has a LOT of feelings. Throughout the book, he learns how to identify and understand his emotions. This book offers young children different ways to take a minute and chill when they are feeling stressed or overwhelmed. It has a great message and cute illustrations.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be fun for the beginning of the year activities for preschool or Kindergarten. I love that it has the code to be able to listen to the song online that goes with the book. I'd love to include this in a library storytime.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read this with Mister and while he loves dinosaurs, Mister just wasn't feeling this one. I see what the author is trying to do, yet Mister was bored with this. The repetition was annoying to him. Honestly, it was annoying to me, the adult reader. *sigh* I tried.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

T. Rex preschooler practices honing his chilling skills at school.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay. A good book for kids to take a moment and chill, to think about things before 'throwing a fit'.

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This book highlights the importance of taking a breath or a moment before reacting to something in an easy to understand manner for kids.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book for teaching young children how to deal with frustration in specific circumstances.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chomp is filled with emotions and feelings. As he goes through his busy day at school he finds himself in stressful decision making situations, but Chomp knows just what to do in each case.

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one so much!

Storytime Themes: Dinosaurs, Feelings, Friends, Sharing, Playtime

[Melissa the Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great (and funny!) book about self-regulation and dealing with your emotions in a healthy way.

[Robert Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the perfect book to read with my nephew about how to better handle our emotions; I think he will like the illustrations and message.

[Villain E · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book for little ones about managing strong emotions.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for young kids to teach calming down coping strategies.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect for my toddler who struggles with containing his emotions.

[Sheila Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illustrator: Paco Sordo. Preschool-K help students talk about controlling anger and better choices to make instead. Published 2021. fictional picture book.

[Ashley S · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great for little ones nativiating their emotions and options they have to use in response to something that happens that could set them off in an angry fit. Shows them how they can step back and process what they can do next before they do it.

[Andréa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd never be able to read this in a storytime because of my speech impediment -- too many CH sounds.

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.