Oh Say Can You Say Di-no-saur?: All About Dinosaurs
Cat in the Hat's Learning Library Series
What’s inside...
Join the Cat in the Hat as he takes young readers on a prehistoric tour, teaching them about different types of dinosaurs, their physical characteristics, habitats, and more in this exciting exploration. This title forms part of a series of books that takes an off-beat look at natural history through a fun combination of Seussian rhymes and zany illustrations. Aimed at early readers - from four to seven year olds - the books are designed to bridge the gap between concept books written for preschoolers and more formal non fiction titles that require fluent reading skills. By presenting the facts in a lively and rhythmic manner, they provide the critical foundation upon which complex facts and ideas can eventually be built.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-5
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think it would be like if dinosaurs still roamed the Earth today?
Can you describe your favorite dinosaur from the book and why it intrigued you?
How do you think dinosaurs communicated with each other?
What can we learn from studying dinosaurs and how does it help scientists today?
If you could create a new dinosaur, what would it look like and what would you name it?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to make the dinosaurs come alive. Change your tone of voice to match different dinosaurs.
Pause after reading about each dinosaur to ask your child what they found fascinating about it.
Compare dinosaurs in the book to animals today to help your child make connections to their current knowledge.
Encourage your child to draw their favorite dinosaur from the book or even create a new one, discussing its habits and environment.
After reading, visit a nearby museum with dinosaur exhibits or explore online resources to see real fossils and learn more together.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Curiosity and Exploration
Explanation: The book invites children to explore the prehistoric world of dinosaurs, encouraging questions and discovery through its engaging narrative.
Real-World Application: Children are inspired to learn more about the world around them, fostering a sense of curiosity that can be applied in school and during educational activities.
Example Lesson: Scientific Learning
Explanation: It introduces young readers to basic paleontology, explaining how scientists learn about the past through fossils.
Real-World Application: This lesson underscores the importance of observation and evidence in learning, skills that are essential in academic subjects, particularly science.
Example Lesson: Respect for Nature
Explanation: By depicting the natural world of the dinosaurs, the book instills a respect for wildlife and natural history.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of conservation and environmental stewardship, which can translate into responsible behavior towards nature and participation in environmental activities.
Example Lesson: Vocabulary Development
Explanation: The book is loaded with dinosaur names and scientific terms, which enhance a child's vocabulary.
Real-World Application: This improved vocabulary helps children articulate their thoughts more clearly and understand complex language in other areas of study.
Example Lesson: Persistence in Learning
Explanation: The book presents information in a layered manner that requires focus and absorption, promoting persistence.
Real-World Application: This can teach children the importance of perseverance when faced with challenging subjects or tasks in school.