Dinosaur Woods: Can Seven Clever Critters Save Their Forest Home?
on Goodreads (155)
What’s inside...
To save their homes from being destroyed by developers, a fanciful group of endangered animals constructs a fearsome dinosaur. Rojo and his pals have a problem: The forest where they live is about to be torn down and replaced with a Plas-Tic Trees factory. The animals are at a loss, until they come up with a plan to scare away the builders using sticks, burlap, power tools—and a gigantic dinosaur. Have these seven endangered friends got what it takes to save their home? Turns out they do . . . in ways they never expected.
Age
3-8
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What would you do if you had to save your home like the critters in the story?
Which of the critters in 'Dinosaur Woods' do you think had the best idea? Why?
How do the animals work together to solve their problem? Can you think of a time when you worked with others to solve a problem?
Why is it important to protect our forests and natural spaces?
If you could create your own critter to help save their forest, what would it look like and what special skills would it have?
Tip: Role play these questions
To foster a deep connection with 'Dinosaur Woods,' try using expressive voices for different critters to make the story come alive. Encourage your child to imagine and describe their own forest and critters, enhancing their creative thinking. After reading, spend some time outdoors, observing nature, and discussing ways to help protect local wildlife and forests. This not only reinforces themes from the book but also instills ecological awareness.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Cooperation
Explanation: In 'Dinosaur Woods,' the woodland creatures band together to save their forest home from destruction. Through their collaborative efforts, children learn how working together can accomplish significant goals.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in group activities at school or in community projects, learning that cooperation can lead to successful outcomes.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Problem Solving
Explanation: The critters in the story use their unique skills to creatively address and solve the problem of their home being threatened. This encourages children to think outside the box.
Real-World Application: Kids can be encouraged to use creative thinking to solve everyday problems, whether it's figuring out how to organize their toys or finding a new game to play with friends.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Despite encountering obstacles, the characters in the story keep trying different strategies to save their home. This demonstrates the importance of not giving up in the face of difficulties.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand the value of persistence in challenging situations, such as learning a new skill or dealing with conflicts.
Example Lesson: Stewardship of the Environment
Explanation: The story emphasizes the importance of protecting natural habitats. The critters’ fight to save their forest underlines the message of environmental conservation.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to take part in environmentally friendly activities, such as recycling, conserving water, or participating in local clean-up days.