I'M Not Your Friend
#1 in Dinofours Series
on Goodreads (18)
What’s inside...
They are dinosaurs. They are 4 years old. They are having fun at nursery school until Tracey tells Danielle, 'you're not my friend!' Join the Dinofours as they learn what it means to be good friends. Audio cassette tape of I'm Not Your Friend by Steve Metzger is included.
Discussion points
Why do you think the character said 'I'm not your friend'? How do you think that made the other characters feel?
Have you ever felt like saying 'I'm not your friend' to someone? What happened in that situation?
What do you think is important in being a good friend?
How could the characters solve their problem in the story?
What do you think will happen next in the story? How would you like it to end?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, ask your child what they think the book is about based on the title. This sets a purpose for reading.
Encourage your child to think about and relate their experiences to the characters' situations, fostering empathy and understanding.
Pause at crucial points in the story to ask your child to predict what might happen next, nurturing their analytical skills.
Discuss the characters’ actions and their consequences, helping your child grasp complex emotional responses.
After reading, engage your child in drawing a picture of their favorite scene, deepening their connection and memory of the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding boundaries
Explanation: The story illustrates the importance of recognizing and respecting personal boundaries through interactions between the characters.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to ask for permission before using others' belongings and respecting personal space both at home and school.
Example Lesson: Value of friendship
Explanation: The narrative shows how friendships can evolve through understanding and mutual respect, despite initial misunderstandings.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to nurture their relationships by being considerate and empathetic towards their friends' feelings and perspectives.
Example Lesson: Conflict resolution
Explanation: The book provides examples of how characters resolve their differences amicably by communicating and expressing their feelings clearly.
Real-World Application: This teaches children effective ways to handle disputes at school or in playgroups by using words to express themselves and listening to others.
Example Lesson: Empathy development
Explanation: By experiencing the characters' emotions, readers are guided to develop empathy towards others' situations and viewpoints.
Real-World Application: This lesson is crucial in helping children understand the feelings of classmates or siblings, promoting a more supportive and caring environment.