Book Series · 5 Books

Penelope Rex Books

In order from We Don't Eat Our Classmates to Penelope Rex Vs. the New Kid.

Ryan T. Higgins' school comedies follow an enthusiastic young T. rex learning not to eat classmates, share her music, care for a class pet, and handle a saber-toothed kitten.

Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated August 12, 2026

Reading order

How to Read the Penelope Rex Books

Read the four full-size picture books in publication order, beginning with We Don't Eat Our Classmates. Each school problem stands alone, but the first book introduces Penelope, her classmates, and Walter the class goldfish.

Bundle Up, Penelope Rex! is a much shorter board book for ages zero to two and can be read at any point. Penelope Rex vs. the New Kid was scheduled for August 18, 2026, so it was still forthcoming at this page's August 12 review date and is not included in the current count.

Sources: Disney's official Ryan T. Higgins book list, Disney's Bundle Up, Penelope Rex! page.

For parents

What Parents Should Know

Penelope repeatedly swallows her classmates in the first book, but spits them out unharmed; the joke is cartoonish and becomes a lesson in empathy when the class goldfish bites her finger. Later stories address stage fright, jealousy, pet responsibility, and self-control.

The pictures include big dinosaur teeth, chasing, a bite, and chaotic pet behavior, but not realistic injury. Humor carries clear social-emotional themes without requiring the books to be read as formal lessons.

Where the story begins

First Book in the Series

Sale price

$1797

Book #1 · Picture Book · Ages 3–5 · 2018

We Don't Eat Our Classmates

By Ryan T. Higgins

A young T. rex named Penelope starts school and learns that it's not acceptable to eat her classmates.

40 pages· 429 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud

5.5/7 Bookroo

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Penelope Rex is excited for her first day at school, but making friends is tricky when her classmates seem like tasty snacks. When the tables turn, Penelope learns a surprising lesson about friendship and food chains. Will she find her place among her peers, or will her appetite get the best of her?

In reading order

Penelope Rex Series

5 books · Published 2018–2024

#1 in Series

Sale price

$1797

We Don't Eat Our Classmates

Picture Book · Ages 3–5 · 2018

A young T. rex named Penelope starts school and learns that it's not acceptable to eat her classmates.

#2 in Series

Sale price

$1697

We Will Rock Our Classmates

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2020

A young T. rex named Penelope wants to participate in her school's talent show, but she's worried that being a dinosaur will hold her back.

#3 in Series

Sale price

$1797

We Don't Lose Our Class Goldfish

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2023

A young dinosaur named Penelope must take care of her class's pet goldfish, Walter, for the weekend.

#4 in Series

Sale price

$1797

Penelope Rex and the Problem with Pets

Picture Book · Ages 3–5 · 2024

A young dinosaur faces chaos with her new saber-toothed pet.

Series

Sale price

$1899

Penelope Rex Vs. the New Kid

Picture Book · Ages 3–5

Two dinosaurs in one class—can Penelope find her place?

For toddlers

A Penelope Rex Board Book

1 book · Published 2025

Bundle Up, Penelope Rex! is a shorter winter story made for very young listeners and sturdy hands.

Sale price

$958

Bundle Up, Penelope Rex!

Board Book · Ages 0–2 · 2025

A dinosaur and her pet cat prepare for snowy adventures, but will they succeed?

Good to know

Common Questions

How many books are in the Penelope Rex series?

There are 5 books in the Penelope Rex series. It began with We Don't Eat Our Classmates in 2018, and the newest book, Penelope Rex and the Problem with Pets, was published in 2024.