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by Phil Bransom (Author), Dan Schaefer (Illustrator), Jennifer Rees (Editor)
Douglasaurus and the New Student is a heartwarming picture book that follows a young boy named Max on his first day at a brand-new school. From the very beginning, Max feels out of place-unfamiliar sights, smells, and faces make him unsure where he fits in. The other kids already know each other, and despite his love for books and dinosaurs, Max can't seem to find the courage to connect. He spends his day quiet and alone, retreating to the library, the one place he feels safe-especially near Douglasaurus, the school's towering dinosaur mascot.
But Douglasaurus is more than just a statue. With the gentle mantra, "Kindness begins small," the mighty dinosaur magically shrinks to Max's size and becomes his guide. Through quiet encouragement and gentle words, Douglasaurus teaches Max how to take brave, kind steps toward friendship-starting with something as simple as saying, "Hi, I'm Max. Do you want to play?"
As Max finds his voice and makes new friends, he learns the power of kindness-not only for himself but for others, too. By day's end, Max is the one reaching out to another new student, passing along the same kindness he was given. This touching story is a celebration of courage, inclusion, and how even the smallest act of kindness can help someone feel seen and valued.
