The Dinosaur Who Roared For More
Usborne young reading. Series four
on Goodreads (3)
What’s inside...
This collection includes two picture books about dinosaurs. The first story follows a young dinosaur who is always seeking more - more food, more fun, and more attention, leading to a series of humorous adventures and learning about gratitude and moderation. The second story is about Sid the dinosaur's restaurant, where everyone loves the food, but Dora the dinosaur struggles with moderation as she can't stop munching and crunching, leading to a delightful tale about appreciating good food in moderation.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the dinosaur kept wanting more? What might make someone feel that way?
How did the other characters react to the dinosaur's behavior? What would you do if you were one of them?
What do you think is the lesson the dinosaur learned by the end of the story?
Can you think of a time when you wanted more of something like the dinosaur did? How did you handle it?
How do you think the story would change if the dinosaur was happy with what he had?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, ask your child what they know about dinosaurs and what they would do if they met one. This sets a fun and engaging prelude to the story.
While reading, emphasize the feelings and reactions of the characters through expressive voice modulation to help your child grasp the emotional context.
Pause at key moments to ask predictive questions, such as 'What do you think will happen next?' to keep your child engaged and thinking ahead.
Post-reading, connect the story’s themes to real-life situations your child might encounter, discussing how to appreciate what they have and understand the feelings of others.
Encourage your child to draw a picture of their favorite scene, discussing why they chose it and what it means to them.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding moderation
Explanation: The story follows a dinosaur who constantly wants more, regardless of how much he already has, illustrating the consequences of insatiability.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the value of being content with what they have and the importance of moderation in daily activities such as eating, playing, or using resources.
Example Lesson: Respecting others' feelings
Explanation: As the dinosaur’s behavior affects those around him, the narrative shows how his actions make his friends feel upset and uncomfortable.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand that their actions can impact others' emotions and teaches them to consider how their behavior might affect their peers, fostering empathy and respect.
Example Lesson: Learning to apologize and make amends
Explanation: Eventually, the dinosaur realizes his mistakes and says sorry to his friends, demonstrating the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to own their mistakes and resolve conflicts through apologies and positive actions, which are vital social skills for their interactions at school and home.
Example Lesson: The joy of sharing
Explanation: The climax of the story involves the dinosaur learning to share his belongings and joys with his friends, leading to happier and healthier social interactions.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to practice sharing in real-life situations, improving their social interactions and helping them build strong, supportive relationships with friends and family.
Example Lesson: The value of self-control
Explanation: Throughout the book, the dinosaur learns to control his urges for more, leading to better relationships and personal happiness.
Real-World Application: This imparts to children the importance of self-control, which can aid them in managing their impulses in various situations such as in class discussions or when dealing with siblings.