✍️ Behind the story

Meet Phyllis Ann Lanier

Children’s author, educator, and creator of The MANNERsauruses.

Meet the Author: August 22 at 1:00 PM · Barnes & Noble Murfreesboro. Follow on Facebook for updates.

Portrait of Phyllis Ann Lanier seated and smiling. — **Phyllis Ann Lanier**Author & Educator

A message from the author

Making life lessons fun

Phyllis Ann Lanier is a children’s author and educator who believes children learn best when important lessons are wrapped in laughter, imagination, and love.

She created When You Take a Dinosaur to Dinner to help young readers recognize everyday dinnertime mistakes without feeling embarrassed. Through Jimmie’s patient guidance and the dinosaurs’ hilarious behavior, children discover that manners are not about being perfect—they are about showing respect, kindness, and care for others.

Her goal is to grow a joyful MANNERsaurus movement that helps families and schools practice good manners one simple choice at a time.

“Good manners never go extinct—be polite, one RAWR at a time!”

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Author event spotlight

See Phyllis Ann Lanier on August 22 at 1:00 PM

Join the Barnes & Noble Murfreesboro event at 1:00 PM and celebrate the MANNERsaurus movement in person.

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Why this story matters

Learning without the lecture

Funny characters give children a safe way to notice a mistake, name the better choice, and try again.

😂

Laughter opens the door

Silly scenes keep children engaged while the lesson stays clear.

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Repetition builds memory

Catchphrases and RAWRminders make manners easier to recall.

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Kindness is the goal

Manners are presented as care for people, not a list of rigid rules.

Meet the dinosaurs, too.

See what happens when Jimmie takes a whole group of dinosaurs to dinner.

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