As the only Tyrannosaurus rex in her kindergarten classroom of eleven human children and one teacher named Mrs. Noodleman, Penelope struggles with her innate inclination to consume her classmates as evidenced in We Don't Eat Our Classmates (Disney Hyperion, June 19, 2018) written and illustrated by Ryan T. Higgins. In the companion title, We Will Rock Our Classmates (Disney Hyperion, July 21, 2020) written and illustrated by Ryan T. Higgins, Penelope faces new concerns. Her heart's desire is to be valued for everything she is, not just seen for her physical characteristics.Penelope was the only
T. rex in her school.
Sometimes that made her
stand out a little.
Her classmates tended to only see a dinosaur in front of them. Penelope was much more than a dinosaur. She enjoyed playing, reading, and drawing. Penelope held great affection for music. Her greatest joy was to sing and play her guitar, rocking and rolling with abandon.
When Mrs. Noodleman announced the school talent show and left the sign-up sheet out for her students, Penelope was thrilled and apprehensive. First, she was worried about going near Walter, the class goldfish with dubious intentions. Second, she could not stop talking about the talent show at dinner with her parents in the evening. Penelope lived and breathed rock and roll.
When it came time for the school rehearsal, all Penelope's joy vanished as students voiced what she feared most. She could not perform. Why did she ever think a dinosaur could be anything but a dinosaur? At home that night, and the next day at school, Penelope withdrew in her despair. She crossed her name off the list for talent show participants.
As an observant parent, Daddy Rex popped into Penelope's bedroom after school on the second day. His words and the sharing of a family treasure worked magic on Penelope's sadness. To Penelope's astonishment the next day her newfound courage was met with a surprise courtesy of a few classmates. It's safe to say this talent show was unlike any talent show in Penelope's school's history, especially Walter's appearance.
The understated humor in each sentence written by Ryan T. Higgins will have you laughing before you even turn to the second page. To add meaning, depth, and more comedy to his statements, he includes supporting dialogue. Readers will appreciate the understanding shown by Ryan T. Higgins in assigning attributes and emotions to the color of Penelope's markers. Ryan T. Higgins is also aware, as a parent of three children, how valuable it is to include elements in a narrative which might have more meaning for adults. In particular, I am referencing the name of the band. Here is a passage with Daddy Rex reading to Penelope all tucked in bed for the night.
She loved to read.
Good night, tasty moose,
all wrapped in baloney.
Good night, tasty goose,
with a side dish of pony.
Mmmm. Ponies!
With the spotlight encircling Penelope on the stage, we know this kindergarten student is rocking her heart out. It's fun to see her fellow classmates watching from the side of the stage in amazement. Penelope and the title text are varnished. The shades of teal fade in the background, as our attention is focused on the full color used for Penelope. This is a technique Ryan T. Higgins employs throughout the book. He will have settings lighten to hues of a single color, still replete with details and Easter eggs. This brings the characters to the foreground.
To the left, on the back, of the dust jacket is a rectangular image. It is an interior illustration of Penelope happily playing her guitar in her bedroom. Surrounding this are praise statements for the first title.
Using white on a black background the bookcase reveals the outcome of the talent show. A rainbow extends from the main element on the front to its right. On the back a rainbow extends to the left of that main element. The text will have you laughing out loud. Please note the fine print!
On the opening and closing endpapers, a string is stretched from left to right across a yellow background. A series of clothes pins attaches drawings, all different to the string. They are children's artwork made for this book featuring each individual's talent. On the title page, a drum set is placed to the right of the center. On the larger drum are the initials GCH. There are other initials and first names tucked into images in this book.
The illustrations rendered
using scans of treated clayboard for textures, graphite, ink, and Photoshop
are single-page pictures on a variety of backgrounds and settings. When Penelope freezes on stage, the canvas goes black. For emphasis there are several double-page pictures. To further accentuate the emotional mood, our point of view shifts. We are brought close to specific items. Readers will be smiling repeatedly at all the facial expressions and body postures of Penelope and the other characters.
One of my many, many favorite pictures is a double-page picture. It is the night of the talent show. It is taking place in the gymnasium/auditorium. The background elements, and many of the people are in hues of purple. Closer to the front, the people are done in full color. Can you recognize some of them? On the left, gigantic and in full color, are Daddy Rex carrying a bouquet of flowers and Mommy Rex with a camera round her neck, along with her necklace. On the far-right side is the stage. Penelope and several classmates have pulled back the curtain and are surveying the crowd. Walter is in his fishbowl on the stage with an unusual object standing upright in his bowl. You can feel anticipation crackling in the air.
No matter how many times you read We Will Rock Our Classmates written and illustrated by Ryan T. Higgins, you'll find yourself smiling at every page turn. The combination of words, and artwork provide consummate comedy with impeccable pacing. Amid the laughter readers along with Penelope will find we all are made of many qualities making us distinctively wonderful. I highly recommend this title for your personal and professional collections.
To learn more about Ryan T. Higgins, you can follow the link attached to his name to access his website in progress. Ryan T. Higgins has accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Ryan T. Higgins also has some video episodes beginning with the one linked here on YouTube. At the publisher's website are several activity sheets for you to download. Ryan T. Higgins visits with author illustrator Jena Benton at her website about this title. I know you will enjoy the video.
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