Dinosaur Called Minerva (Hippo books)
#1 in Sprog and the Dinosaurs Series
What’s inside...
In 'Dinosaur Called Minerva,' a young protagonist discovers a mysterious egg that hatches into a friendly dinosaur named Minerva. Throughout the story, they embark on various adventures, facing challenges and learning important lessons about friendship, courage, and the importance of protecting endangered species. The book combines elements of fantasy with educational content, providing readers with fun facts about dinosaurs while engaging them in an entertaining narrative. Meanwhile, in another story, Simon Peter Richard Ogden, or Sprog, goes on holiday with his aunt in Somerset where he investigates a strange roaring from a cave. He discovers it to be a dinosaur with toothache.
Discussion points
How do you think Minerva felt when she discovered she was different from other dinosaurs?
What do you think is the most important lesson Minerva learned during her adventure?
If you were Minerva, how would you have handled the challenges she faced?
What qualities do you admire in Minerva and why?
Can you think of a time when you felt different like Minerva? How did you handle it?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings and thoughts about Minerva's challenges and victories, relating them to their own experiences.
Discuss the importance of acceptance and friendship as shown in the book, and ask your child how they can apply these values in their daily life.
Prompt your child to think about what they would do differently if they were in Minerva’s situation, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Highlight the lessons learned from Minerva's journey, and encourage your child to think about how they too can learn from their own challenges.
Use expressions and voice modulation to bring the characters to life during read-aloud sessions, making the storytelling more engaging for your child.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage in facing fears
Explanation: In the story, the protagonist overcomes fear by befriending a dinosaur, showing bravery despite the unknown.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to confront their own fears, whether it's trying new activities or facing difficult situations in school or at the playground.
Example Lesson: Importance of friendship
Explanation: The narrative emphasizes building a friendship with someone who is different, as the main character forms a bond with a dinosaur.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of diversity and accepting others, encouraging them to be open and make friends in diverse settings.
Example Lesson: Using imagination as a learning tool
Explanation: The character creates an imaginative world where dinosaurs are friends, fostering creative thinking and problem solving.
Real-World Application: Kids are motivated to use their imagination as a way to understand their own world better and develop creative solutions to everyday challenges.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Throughout the book, character interactions are guided by understanding and empathy, promoting harmonious relationships.
Real-World Application: Children learn to empathize with others' feelings and perspectives, helping them build stronger relationships with family and peers.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Taking care of a dinosaur, the protagonist learns about responsibility and caring for others, a fundamental part of the story.
Real-World Application: This can be applied to a child's life through taking care of pets, helping out with chores at home, and looking out for younger siblings or friends.