What’s inside...
Provides a look at the changes in the life of a mamenchisaurus--a large, plant-eating Chinese dinosaur--as he survives various dangers before getting caught in a flood, and as his bones, now fossils, are discovered and put on display. The site is China, millions of years ago, where dinosaur hatchlings emerge from their eggs, then, in successive illustrations, grow to gigantic size. Death comes years later when they are caught in a flood. Final illustrations show their bones being discovered in our own era and being mounted for display in a museum. Original pictorial treatments of places and events in history make these books as entertaining as they are informative for young readers. Each title covers a single theme with a series of time-sequence illustrations that show how one location has changed over the course of history. Each illustration covers a large two-page spread. Tabs on page edges provide identifying historical dates for each picture, and have labels to explain details in the illustration. A Glossary at the back of each book defines relevant terms.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
6-10
Length
31 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think it would be like to live in the time of the dinosaurs?
Which dinosaur in the book was your favorite and why?
How do you think the dinosaurs felt when the environment around them started to change?
What can we learn from the way dinosaurs lived and adapted to their surroundings?
If you could ask a dinosaur one question, what would it be?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in the world of dinosaurs, boosting their creative thinking.
Discuss the traits of different dinosaurs, pointing out how each one was unique, to teach your child about diversity in nature.
Talk about the scientific concepts in the book, like extinction and adaptation, using simple terms your child can understand.
After reading, ask your child to draw their favorite dinosaur and explain why they chose it, to combine art with reading comprehension.
Use the book as a starting point to explore more about the prehistoric era, possibly through educational videos or a visit to a museum.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding Change
Explanation: The book details the changes in the environment and adaptations that dinosaurs underwent over time.
Real-World Application: Children learn to understand and adapt to changes in their own environments, such as moving to a new place or adjusting to a new school.
Example Lesson: Importance of Teamwork
Explanation: Dinosaur herds depicted in the book illustrate how creatures worked together to protect themselves and find food.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand the value of working together in groups, whether in sports, classrooms, or with friends to achieve common goals.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and Learning
Explanation: The variety of dinosaurs and their characteristics ignite curiosity about the natural world and the history of Earth.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to explore and ask questions about the world around them, fostering a love of learning and discovery.
Example Lesson: Resilience in Adversity
Explanation: The book portrays dinosaurs facing various challenges with climatic changes and predators.
Real-World Application: Teaches children about resilience, demonstrating how to face challenges and overcome obstacles in their daily lives.
Example Lesson: The Circle of Life
Explanation: From extinction events to the evolution of new species, the book teaches children about the biological concept of the circle of life.
Real-World Application: Children understand the natural process of life and death, helping them to cope with loss and comprehend their role in the ecosystem.