T. Rexes Can't Tie Their Shoes

Written by Anna Lazowski

Illustrated by Steph Laberis

Doubleday Books for Young Readers

978-0-593-18138-6

40 pp.

Ages 3-6

June 2021

Let's have some alphabet fun because it's something we can all do with T. Rexes Can't Tie Their Shoes from Winnipeg's Anna Lazowski.

From T. Rexes Can't Tie Their Shoes by Anna Lazowski, illus. by Steph Laberis

For little ones who lament all the things they can't do, Anna Lazowski reassures them that they are keeping good company with so many members of the animal kingdom.

But you’re not alone!
My dear friend, it is true:
Some things are hard—for animals too!
A hopscotching horse or kung fu kangaroo?

From T. Rexes Can't Tie Their Shoes by Anna Lazowski, illus. by Steph Laberis

Then from alligators who can't pick apples and cheetahs who can't chew gum to zebras who can't go zip-lining, young readers are introduced to a variety of animals and words in this alphabet concept book. Totally not-boring, Anna Lazowski provides the laughs of animals attempting everything from gymnastics to opening umbrellas, making waffles or staying quiet in the library. There's a quetzal and a xenops (I know you wondered about the "Q" and "X" animals) and an urchin, vampire bat and yak. There's the raccoon, horse and seahorse. From across the globe and across phyla, the animals in T. Rexes Can't Tie Their Shoes amuse with their inabilities. 

From T. Rexes Can't Tie Their Shoes by Anna Lazowski, illus. by Steph Laberis

But, lest young readers focus on the hilarity of what these creatures can't do, Anna Lazowski encourages with the fun of trying and even provides an insightful summary of the extraordinary abilities of these same animals in an appendix she introduces with "And look at all the amazing things animals CAN do!"

From T. Rexes Can't Tie Their Shoes by Anna Lazowski, illus. by Steph Laberis

The digitally-rendered illustrations by Steph Laberis, who is sadly not Canadian, could wallow in the despair of what these animals cannot do. They don't. Their cartoon nature brings an effervescence of colour and line, making trying look like fun. There's no shaming here for animals who can't do stuff.

I know teachers will love using T. Rexes Can't Tie Their Shoes to teach the alphabet to young children but it would also be a great picture book for extending literacy into concepts like math words or geography by having older children replicate the book's style. After all, the humour of T. Rexes Can't Tie Their Shoes may come from what animals can't do but its message is still about trying and learning to see what is possible.