Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie Kingsley
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Funny dino tale about jealousy and belonging.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 3+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
PENELOPE REX VS. THE NEW KID begins with Penelope settled into her role as the only dinosaur in a classroom full of children. She likes being different and getting noticed for it. But when new student Patty Topps arrives, Penelope is no longer the only dinosaur in the school. Suddenly, Penelope has to figure out how to manage sharing the classroom and playground with another dinosaur without losing the feeling that she's special and unique.
Is It Any Good?
Author Ryan T. Higgins takes big feelings like jealousy, identity, self-worth and treats them with both serious care and silly comedy in this bright, gentle picture book. Penelope Rex vs. the New Kid treats jealousy as understandable, and the story gently lets her grow while keeping the humor alive on each page. The picture-book setup is simple enough for preschoolers, but the feelings underneath that center on wanting to belong, wanting to stand out, and worrying that someone else's presence changes your place will resonate with older kids, too. Expressive illustrations and playful scenes are a great starting point for conversations about new classmates, sibling rivalry, and making space for more than one star on the playground.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why Penelope Rex feels unsure in Penelope Rex vs. the New Kid when Patty Topps joins her class. Have you ever felt like that at school or with friends?
What are kind ways to welcome a new kid at school, on a team, or in a neighborhood?
Have you ever felt jealous or worried when someone else was good at something you cared about?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Ryan T. Higgins
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Animals ( Dinosaurs ) , Friendship , School ( Elementary School , Preschool )
- Character Strengths : Communication , Empathy
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Disney-Hyperion
- Publication date : August 18, 2026
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 3 - 5
- Number of pages : 48
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : August 19, 2026
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate