Thomas and the Dinosaurs
Thomas Engine Adventures Series
on Goodreads (13)
What’s inside...
In 'Thomas and the Dinosaurs,' Thomas the Tank Engine discovers dinosaur bones on the Island of Sodor and embarks on a prehistoric adventure. With the help of his friends, Thomas learns about ancient creatures and collaborates to set up a new exhibit at the Sodor Museum. As the story unfolds, the presence of various dinosaurs like the Tyrannosaurus Rex, Triceratops, and Diplodocus adds thrill, and it is ultimately a different engine who proves to be the bravest of all. This delightful tale combines the excitement of dinosaurs and trains, captivating both dinosaur and train enthusiasts.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-5
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think Thomas wanted to learn more about dinosaurs?
How did Thomas feel when he first saw the dinosaurs, and what would you feel if you saw one?
What did Thomas learn about teamwork and helping friends from his adventure?
Can you think of a time when you learned something new about an old friend, just like Thomas did with the dinosaurs?
What would you do if you were in Thomas’s situation and met dinosaurs?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and relate personal experiences to those of Thomas and his friends.
Ask your child to describe the dinosaurs in the story and explore their knowledge of different dinosaur types, fostering a mini-lesson in natural history.
Discuss the importance of curiosity and learning, drawing parallels between Thomas’s adventurous spirit and their daily explorations.
Use expressive reading to highlight the emotions of the characters, assisting your child in understanding and empathizing with Thomas’s feelings throughout his journey.
After reading, suggest drawing a scene from the book or creating a dinosaur from craft materials to extend learning through creative play.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Curiosity and Exploration
Explanation: Thomas embarks on an adventurous journey to learn more about dinosaurs, showcasing his curiosity and eagerness to explore new things.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to be curious about the world around them and to seek knowledge through exploration and asking questions.
Example Lesson: Courage in facing fears
Explanation: Despite being initially afraid, Thomas bravely continues his journey, learning that facing fears can lead to great discoveries.
Real-World Application: Teaches children that it’s okay to feel scared and that courage doesn’t mean being fearless, but facing fears and overcoming them.
Example Lesson: Importance of Teamwork
Explanation: Thomas learns to collaborate with other characters to navigate through the Dino Park, illustrating how teamwork can lead to success.
Real-World Application: Highlights the value of working together with others to achieve common goals, reinforcing cooperative play and problem-solving in group settings.
Example Lesson: Learning from Mistakes
Explanation: Thomas makes several mistakes on his journey but learns from each one, which helps him grow and improve.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to see mistakes as learning opportunities and to keep trying despite setbacks.
Example Lesson: Respect for Nature and History
Explanation: Through his journey, Thomas teaches about the history of dinosaurs and the importance of preserving historical knowledge and nature.
Real-World Application: Inspires children to respect and appreciate nature and history, and promotes an interest in learning about the past and environmental conservation.