The Queen & Mr Brown: A Day for Dinosaurs
on Goodreads (20)
What’s inside...
A delightful tale of two close friends and their eventful day at the museum with the dinosaurs, with lots of facts about how dinosaurs lived and why they all disappeared Join Britain's much-admired monarch on one of her rare days off, as she and her loveable pet corgi Mr. Brown enjoy an action packed adventure at the Natural History Museum. On a gray, gloomy, and unbearably miserable day, the two friends go in search of dinosaurs. Armed with snacks, they encounter immense skeletons, huge teeth, and a thigh bone as big as the Queen. There are aliens from outer space and some smelly dinosaur dung too! After so much exploring it is no surprise when they both fall asleep—which is when the real excitement begins. Find out what really happened to the dinosaurs all those years ago, what the Queen is doing on top of a Megalosaurus, and who wins a famous victory.
Why read this book
- Engaging adventure with dinosaurs, sparking curiosity.
- Builds vocabulary and knowledge about prehistoric creatures.
- Encourages historical interest and learning.
- Ideal for shared reading, enhancing parent-child bond.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-7
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think made the day special for The Queen and Mr. Brown when they met the dinosaurs?
How did the dinosaurs in the story make you feel?
If you could ask a dinosaur one question, what would you ask?
Why do you think the author chose dinosaurs to be part of the Queen and Mr. Brown’s adventure?
How do you think the story would change if it was set in a different location, like the jungle or the moon?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive tones and animated expressions when discussing the dinosaurs to make the conversation more lively and engaging.
Relate the dinosaurs' characteristics back to the child's own experiences, like comparing the size of a dinosaur to something familiar.
Encourage the child to imagine their own adventure with the Queen and Mr. Brown, asking what creatures or settings they would include.
Ask the child to draw their favorite scene or dinosaur from the book, then discuss their artwork as a way to deepen their understanding and connection to the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Collaboration
Explanation: The book illustrates teamwork as The Queen and Mr. Brown work together to tackle the adventure of finding dinosaurs. Their collaboration demonstrates that working as a team can make challenging tasks more manageable and fun.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by engaging in group activities or projects at school, learning to cooperate and collaborate with their peers to achieve common goals.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and Learning
Explanation: The storyline encourages a thirst for knowledge as the characters explore a museum and learn about dinosaurs. This shows children the joy and excitement that comes with learning new things.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be applied in a child's daily life by encouraging them to ask questions and seek out educational opportunities, whether at museums, libraries, or through exploring new topics in school.
Example Lesson: Courage and Facing Fears
Explanation: Throughout their adventure, The Queen and Mr. Brown face potentially scary situations with bravery. This helps instill a sense of courage when confronting the unknown.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to face their own fears and try new activities, whether it's starting a new sport, speaking in front of the class, or making new friends.
Example Lesson: Importance of History and Culture
Explanation: As the characters explore historical artifacts and learn about the past, the story highlights the significance of understanding history and diverse cultures.
Real-World Application: This can translate to children developing an appreciation for their own heritage and the cultures of others, promoting inclusiveness and empathy.
Example Lesson: Imagination and Creativity
Explanation: The imaginative scenario of The Queen and Mr. Brown on a dinosaur hunt fuels creativity and shows how imagination can transform ordinary experiences into extraordinary adventures.
Real-World Application: Children can be inspired to use their imaginations in play, storytelling, or art, helping to develop their creative skills and ability to think innovatively.