We Don't Eat Our Classmates (2018) Parents Guide: Is the book OK for kids?

There is no sexual content or nudity present in this picture book. As the story focuses entirely on a young dinosaur's first day of school, the imagery remains wholesome and appropriate for a preschool audience. The illustrations show characters in modest, everyday school attire or dinosaur skin. No romantic subplots or suggestive themes are explored in any capacity. The focus is strictly on the social-emotional development of a young Rex navigating kindergarten.

The 'violence' is comedic and cartoonish; Penelope eats her classmates because they are delicious, but she is scolded and spits them out immediately. The children are shown covered in slime but are entirely unharmed and reappear in the next scenes. There is a moment of 'consequence' where Penelope is nipped on the finger by a goldfish named Walter, causing her to cry and lose a tiny bit of her confidence. This physical humor is used to illustrate the concept of natural consequences rather than to promote…

No profanity or inappropriate language is used throughout the story. The text relies on simple, rhythmic vocabulary and playful dialogue that is well-suited for early childhood development. Words like 'delicious' and 'ouchies' are used to convey the dinosaur's perspective and feelings. There are no insults, name-calling, or hidden double-entendres. The tone is consistently lighthearted, educational, and supportive of a child's vocabulary growth.

The book contains no references to alcohol, drugs, or tobacco products. The narrative focuses strictly on a school environment and a dinosaur's struggle to manage her appetite for her classmates, keeping the content completely substance-free. The only 'substance' mentioned is the lunch Penelope's dad packs for her, which consists of three hundred tuna sandwiches. Even the classmates are only equated to snacks like brownies in Penelope's imagination. It is an entirely safe read regarding health and safety habits.

Deals with the 'Golden Rule,' empathy, and the difficulties of making friends when you have different instincts or behaviors than the group. Penelope struggles with impulse control, a common challenge for the target age group, and learns through a first-hand experience of being bitten. The story also touches on school anxiety, the feeling of being an outsider, and the importance of self-regulation. Ultimately, it emphasizes that understanding how others feel is the key to building lasting friendships and social…