TINY T. REX AND THE FIRST-DAY OOPSIES
By: Jonathan Stutzman
Illustrated by: Jay Fleck
Published: July 15, 2025
Publisher: Chronicle Kids
Fiction
I fully intended to share this book before school started, but then life happened, and unfortunately, you’re getting it a bit late. Since I’ve been working at our school for 16 years, I know that there is a honeymoon period that hits after the first couple of weeks of school when the structure gets tighter and expectations are higher. Lots of oopsies are bound to happen both at home and at school.
Kids will be able to relate to Tiny and how he feels smaller than the other dinosaurs, or worried about making friends, or riding the huge school bus for the first time. Fans of the Tiny T. Rex series will be thrilled to see Tiny’s best friend, Pointy, join Tiny at school. Pointy eases Tiny’s fears and helps him recover from the oopsies.
Tiny’s teacher reminds him and all of us that everyone makes mistakes. School is the place to make oopsies and learn from them. That’s how we grow! Fleck’s illustrations show Tiny going through his morning routine and school day, and kids will love seeing Tiny with his bunny slippers on and his teddy bear in bed with him. When Tiny loads his backpack full of everything he thinks he needs and then promptly falls backward, kids are sure to giggle.
Another great story, combined with a life lesson in the Tiny T. Rex series, is a great read to kick off the school year. Thanks especially to Jonathan and Jay and to Chronicle Books for sending me a special autographed copy!
Get the downloadable activity kit, HERE
Jonathan Stutzman is a bestselling, award-winning author of books for kids. Some of his books include: Don’t Feed the Coos!, Bear is a Bear, The Mouse Who Carried a House on His Back, the Fitz and Cleo graphic novel series, the Llama Destroys the World trilogy, and the Tiny T. Rex series.
His books have been translated into over a dozen languages all over the world and are being developed for television and film. One of Jonathan’s favorite things is cozying up with a good book, his French bulldog Hugo on his lap, and a hot cup of coffee. He lives in Lititz with his wife, Heather.
Jay Fleck is a Shorewood, IL-based illustrator and author. His artwork is bold and imaginative, featuring whimsical animal pairings, images of faraway lands and fantasy playgrounds, or just beautiful compositions of color and shape. He is inspired by old memories from childhood, along with new experiences with his two young children.
He drew a lot as a child but grew up to pursue other things, like a degree in computer engineering. After submitting several T-shirt designs to Threadless.com, however, he got hooked on art and illustration. His artwork has been selected for print at Threadless.com, has been featured on products at the GAP, Papyrus, on the front page of Society6.com, FAB.com, along with a number of other brick and mortar and internet stores. He lives with his family south of Chicago, which he believes is the best city in the world. (Just ask him about the hot dogs!) He spends his spare time running and reading (but not at the same time).
Click HERE to purchase a copy of TINY T. REX AND THE FIRST DAY OOPSIES
Check out all 7 Books in the Tiny T. Rex series
Other posts you might like:
Thanks to the publisher for sending a copy of this book for this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to purchase through the above links, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase.
Posted Under Back to School, Book Review, Children's books, Jay Fleck, Jonathan Stutzman, Tiny T. Rex series, fiction, school