Dickens & Rumi
Cover of WE DON'T EAT OUR CLASSMATES!

book

WE DON'T EAT OUR CLASSMATES!

Ryan T. Higgins

Penelope Rex must control her urge to eat the children in her class. (Ages 3 to 5)

Ages 4+Source checked

Why this age? The story uses playful predator behavior and mild social conflict to teach preschoolers about making friends, apologizing, and treating classmates kindly. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age4+

Strongest cautions

  • Violence2/5
  • Frightening scenes1/5
  • Strong language1/5

Strongest positives

  • Kindness & empathy4/5
  • Positive messages4/5
  • Creativity & curiosity3/5

What’s in it?

Strong language1/5
Why this rating?

The language is appropriate for young children.

Frightening scenes1/5
Why this rating?

The book is lighthearted and not designed to be frightening.

Violence2/5
Why this rating?

Penelope repeatedly wants to eat classmates, and a classmate is briefly swallowed, but the behavior is cartoonish and non-injurious.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience2/5
Why this rating?

Penelope faces the challenge of changing her behavior and fitting into a new classroom, though courage is not the main theme.

Creativity & curiosity3/5
Why this rating?

The imaginative premise of a dinosaur attending school invites playful thinking and supports creative engagement with social situations.

Diverse representation1/5
Why this rating?

The classroom features a variety of different dinosaur species.

Educational value2/5
Why this rating?

It supports social-emotional learning about classroom rules, empathy, friendship, and respectful behavior.

Kindness & empathy4/5
Why this rating?

Kindness and inclusion are central as Penelope learns how to make and keep friends.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

Strongly encourages empathy, self-control, apology, friendship, and learning how behavior affects others.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

Penelope makes mistakes and learns to behave more considerately; teachers and classmates support social learning.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. Where did a character show kindness or empathy, and what changed because of it?
  2. How did the story handle conflict or violence? Did the characters have other choices?
  3. Which choice in WE DON'T EAT OUR CLASSMATES! would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in WE DON'T EAT OUR CLASSMATES!, and what caused that change?
Discuss this title with other parents

Community reactions

What families noticed

Add your perspective

Sign in from the homepage to rate this title.

Where to get it

Find in a libraryBuy on Bookshop.orgBuy on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate and Bookshop.org affiliate, Dickens & Rumi may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

If you liked this

Try something nearby

Related by age fit, format, and catalogue context.

You’re hereWE DON'T EAT OUR CLASSMATES!
A House for Hermit CrabEric Carle · 1987Ages 3+

These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

Report an incorrect rating