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We Don't Eat Our Classmates: A Penelope Rex Book Hardcover – Picture Book, June 19, 2018
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It's the first day of school for Penelope Rex, and she can't wait to meet her classmates. But it's hard to make human friends when they're so darn delicious! That is, until Penelope gets a taste of her own medicine and finds she may not be at the top of the food chain after all. . . . Readers will gobble up this hilarious new story from award-winning author-illustrator Ryan T. Higgins.
- Print length48 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Grade levelPreschool - Kindergarten
- Lexile measureAD500L
- Dimensions12.4 x 0.36 x 9.3 inches
- PublisherDisney Hyperion
- Publication dateJune 19, 2018
- ISBN-101368003559
- ISBN-13978-1368003551
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
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Customer Reviews |
4.8 out of 5 stars 7,593
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4.8 out of 5 stars 2,103
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4.8 out of 5 stars 346
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4.8 out of 5 stars 143
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Read All of the Penelope Rex Books | A fresh take on first-day-of-school-jitters with Penelope Rex, a dinosaur with a taste for children. | Penelope Rex wants to rock the talent show. | Penelope Rex faces her biggest fear—Walter the goldfish. | Penelope Rex might finally have bitten off more than she can chew—a pet saber tooth tiger! | Penelope Rex wants to play in the snow. Her pet saber tooth cat wants to help her get ready. |
Book Type | Picture Book | Picture Book | Picture Book | Picture Book | Board Book |
Editorial Reviews
Review
"Higgins once again delivers sassy dialogue, flawless comic pacing, and faith in the ability of children to learn and grow." Publishers Weekly *STARRED REVIEW*
*IndieBound Kids Indie Next List TOP 10 Book*
* #1 New York Times Bestseller *
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Disney Hyperion; First Edition (June 19, 2018)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 48 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1368003559
- ISBN-13 : 978-1368003551
- Reading age : 3 - 6 years, from customers
- Lexile measure : AD500L
- Grade level : Preschool - Kindergarten
- Item Weight : 1.1 pounds
- Dimensions : 12.4 x 0.36 x 9.3 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #3,961 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #24 in Children's Dinosaur Books (Books)
- #70 in Children's School Issues
- #145 in Children's Humor
- Customer Reviews:
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REVIEW! We Don't Eat Our Classmates A Penelope Rex
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About the author

Ryan T. Higgins was born in 1983. As a child, he lived on a diet of cartoons, cheese sandwiches, and climbing trees. Until he was four years old, Ryan wanted to grow up to be a tiger. When that didn't work out, he decided to become a cartoonist. He's been making his own cartoons ever since and hasn't grown up yet.
Ryan is the author and illustrator of the #1 New York Times best-selling We Don't Eat Our Classmates; the New York Times best-selling Mother Bruce, which received the E. B. White Read Aloud Award and the Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Honor; Hotel Bruce; BE QUIET!; Bruce's Big Move; and others. He lives in Maine with his three children, three dogs, three cats, one gecko, one tortoise, and one wife.
Customer reviews
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- 5 star4 star3 star2 star1 star4 star91%7%2%0%0%7%
- 5 star4 star3 star2 star1 star3 star91%7%2%0%0%2%
- 5 star4 star3 star2 star1 star2 star91%7%2%0%0%0%
- 5 star4 star3 star2 star1 star1 star91%7%2%0%0%0%
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find this book to be a well-written story that is easy to read aloud and perfect for the beginning of the school year, particularly as a gift for kindergarteners. The illustrations effectively convey emotions, and customers appreciate how it teaches important lessons about being kind and thinking about others' feelings. The book receives positive feedback for its humor, with customers noting that kids especially love the humor, and they consider it worth the purchase.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers enjoy the story quality of the book, describing it as cute and well-written, with one customer noting it's perfect for bedtime reading.
"...This delightful story brings together humor, relatable experiences, and important lessons in a way that engages young readers and keeps them..." Read more
"My granddaughter and I read this together. We laughed, enjoying the story immensely. We loved the illustrations, too...." Read more
"...Both my 5 (in preK) and 8 year old (2nd grade) really love this book, but I think it might be too much for *some* preschoolers, since the gist of..." Read more
"This was a very cute book. Has a lot of common themes for kids on the first day of school...." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's humor, particularly noting that kids love it, with one mentioning it's a delightful story that brings together humor.
"...This delightful story brings together humor, relatable experiences, and important lessons in a way that engages young readers and keeps them..." Read more
"Amusing book with a subtle message. Nicely written" Read more
"...We loved the illustrations, too. This is a fun book for young readers. Caregivers will like sharing it with their kids...." Read more
"...A perfect book for every 3-7 year-olds’ “read again and again” library. And fantastic for classroom and school libraries everywhere!" Read more
Customers praise the book's educational value, particularly its lessons on kindness, empathy, and understanding others' feelings. One customer notes it's an excellent choice for sparking discussions about behavior.
"...This book is an excellent choice for sparking discussions about behavior, treating others with kindness, and the value of understanding differences." Read more
"Amusing book with a subtle message. Nicely written" Read more
"...And this book is a beautiful entry to conversations about it with kids. A perfect book for every 3-7 year-olds’ “read again and again” library...." Read more
"...But it is a fun way to discuss bullying with your child. No one likes someone who would eat them or be mean...." Read more
Customers love the illustrations in this book, describing them as wonderful, colorful, and funny, with one customer noting that they effectively convey emotions.
"...The expressive and colorful artwork captures the emotions and actions of the characters, adding depth and visual appeal to the story...." Read more
"...We laughed, enjoying the story immensely. We loved the illustrations, too. This is a fun book for young readers...." Read more
"...Penelope’s bedroom and classroom are interesting and detailed, and kids want to talk about what’s the same and different to their little worlds...." Read more
"...The drawings are just hysterical and so much fun. I got the whole series for my nieces because it made me laugh." Read more
Customers find the book to be a perfect gift for students starting kindergarten, particularly noting its suitability for the beginning of the school year.
"...It was new to all of us. What a fun story to read aloud and listen to! The illustrations meld perfectly with the story...." Read more
"This is a great book to get your toddler ready for school. The illustrations are adorable and the storyline is cute and unique." Read more
"...is great for 3 years+ and I think it makes a perfect gift for any student starting kindergarten." Read more
"...I bought 2 as presents to give teachers last year. Perfect book for the beginning of the year." Read more
Customers find the book easy to read, particularly for toddlers and as a first week read aloud, with one customer noting that children can spell out all the words.
"Amusing book with a subtle message. Nicely written" Read more
"...with "How many T-Rexes do you see?" But she can spell out all of the words and learned from this book about punctuation..." Read more
"...It's very engaging, easy for the kids to follow, and relevant to their lives!" Read more
"...One very important message thru a very cute and easy to understand story...." Read more
Customers appreciate the author's approach to the book, highlighting its positive message about being different and its unique concept.
"...about behavior, treating others with kindness, and the value of understanding differences." Read more
"...It's so adorable and a unique concept. I love the dinosaur, which is afraid of his own tiny adversary in the end." Read more
"...The illustrations are adorable and the storyline is cute and unique." Read more
"...Yay for another amazing book by this author/illustrator!!" Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the book's value, with some finding it wonderful and worth the purchase, while others express disappointment.
"Wonderful book! I enjoyed it so much I had to send it to my grandson...a favorite book." Read more
"...Keeping the book, disappointed in the quality" Read more
"...Totally worth the purchase!" Read more
"...This is the type of book that is worth reading over and over...." Read more
Reviews with images

I bought this book for my nephew but, I wanted to keep it.
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2023"We Don't Eat Our Classmates: A Penelope Rex Book" is a captivating and humorous children's book authored by Ryan T. Higgins. This delightful story brings together humor, relatable experiences, and important lessons in a way that engages young readers and keeps them entertained.
The story revolves around Penelope Rex, a young dinosaur who is about to start her first day of school. The twist is that Penelope is a carnivorous dinosaur, and her classmates are all children. The book humorously addresses Penelope's struggle to resist the urge to eat her classmates, as well as the challenges she faces in making friends and fitting in.
The brilliance of this book lies in its ability to tackle a seemingly unusual scenario with humor and relatability. Penelope's dilemma of wanting to fit in while dealing with her primal instincts creates a lighthearted and engaging narrative. The book's humor appeals to both children and adults, making it an enjoyable read for all ages.
Beneath the humor, the book also carries valuable lessons about empathy, friendship, and understanding. Through Penelope's experiences, young readers learn the importance of treating others with kindness and overcoming their own impulses to form meaningful connections.
The illustrations by Ryan T. Higgins perfectly complement the text. The expressive and colorful artwork captures the emotions and actions of the characters, adding depth and visual appeal to the story. The illustrations play a crucial role in conveying the humor and heart of the book.
In conclusion, "We Don't Eat Our Classmates: A Penelope Rex Book" is a wonderfully crafted children's book that strikes a balance between humor, relatable experiences, and important life lessons. Through the eyes of Penelope Rex, young readers are entertained while learning about empathy, friendship, and the challenges of fitting in. This book is an excellent choice for sparking discussions about behavior, treating others with kindness, and the value of understanding differences.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2025Amusing book with a subtle message. Nicely written
- Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2024My granddaughter and I read this together. We laughed, enjoying the story immensely. We loved the illustrations, too.
This is a fun book for young readers. Caregivers will like sharing it with their kids. It is a good title for all ages.
I recommend this book. It is charming and made me smile. I will definitely read more from this author.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2025My son cracks up every single time we read this book. Definitely recommend.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2019Penelope Rex is surprised her classmates are all human. They’re delicious, so she eats them. The teacher makes her spit them back up, and she is frustrated that it’s tough to make friends. She even eats one kid again. And spit him back up again. It’s not until the class goldfish bites Penelope Rex that she starts to develop empathy, and a touch of impulse control.
I’ve read this now several times with my preschool aged son and first grade daughter and they love it. The illustrations are detailed and draw kids in. Penelope’s bedroom and classroom are interesting and detailed, and kids want to talk about what’s the same and different to their little worlds. She has chosen a pony lunch box and fills it with 300 tuna sandwiches. The details matter more the more times you read a book like this. And while this book is about a dinosaur, I really appreciate the diversity of students in the class. There are students who present as Black, White, and Asian and wear headscarves and a Yamaka. My daughter noticed the headscarf right away and talked about the heroine in one of her favorite books and made the connection to religious practice.
Finally, while preschoolers don’t actually eat each other, they are learning empathy and impulse control. And this book is a beautiful entry to conversations about it with kids. A perfect book for every 3-7 year-olds’ “read again and again” library. And fantastic for classroom and school libraries everywhere!
- Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2025Our grandchildren giggled from the time they heard the title all the way through the book! We read it 3 times that first night and they still laugh and ask to read it. Highly recommend this book
- Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2025Teacher here! My kindergartners looove this story! It’s a hit during those first weeks of school! Fun way to introduce classroom rules.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2024Read this as mystery reader for my daughter's second grade class and it was a hit! Both my 5 (in preK) and 8 year old (2nd grade) really love this book, but I think it might be too much for *some* preschoolers, since the gist of the book is the dinosaur eating her classmates...she does spit them back out, but for little ones who maybe can't understand context, I could see it being upsetting for really empathetic kids, particularly if they're already scared or nervous about starting kindergarten. That said, it is clever and a funny book! I think early elementary is the best age for this book (K-3). We originally borrowed this book from the library but we all enjoyed it so much (and wanted to keep re-reading it so often) that I bought it so we could have our own copy.
Top reviews from other countries
- diptisinghReviewed in India on March 5, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Hillarious
Great book and very interactive content.
- Nathan SReviewed in Australia on June 17, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
This book is adored by my youngest daughter - perfect as she was starting school.
- SCPReviewed in Japan on November 12, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Adorable!
Really cute and funny story.
- Li-LaReviewed in the United Kingdom on November 18, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars A Delightful Dino Tale with a Hidden Surprise!
A hilarious, heartwarming, and perfect for kids learning about friendship and boundaries. Penelope Rex is an irresistible little dinosaur who keeps trying (and failing) not to snack on her classmates. The story had me laughing and loving every page, and the illustrations are full of personality and charm.
Bonus: If you have the hardcover, check under the dust jacket for a hidden surprise—it’s a completely different cover that’s just as funny as the story! Highly recommend this for anyone looking for a fun and meaningful picture book.
Li-LaA Delightful Dino Tale with a Hidden Surprise!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 18, 2024
Bonus: If you have the hardcover, check under the dust jacket for a hidden surprise—it’s a completely different cover that’s just as funny as the story! Highly recommend this for anyone looking for a fun and meaningful picture book.
Images in this review
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Henriette RiedelReviewed in Germany on January 18, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfekt auch fürs Englisch lernen
Wir haben dieses Buch für unsere Kinder im Grundschulalter gekauft. Wir lesen es abwechselnd auf deutsch und englisch vor. So lernen die Kinder mit Spaß Englisch und selbst unser Sprachen-Muffel hat mit diesem Buch Spaß an der englischen Sprache. Wir werden noch mehr davon holen.
Die Geschichten ist toll und kindgerecht, die Bilder absolut niedlich und passend. So gefällt es dem 3 Jährigen, genau wie der 7 jährigen und erstaunlicherweise sogar dem 9 jährigen.