What Would You Say to a Dinosaur?
on Goodreads (1)
What’s inside...
In this delightful tale, a young child encounters a dinosaur and embarks on an extraordinary adventure. The story explores the humorous and imaginative conversations they might have, from discussing their favorite foods to sharing their biggest fears. The narrative invites the reader to consider what they might say to a dinosaur experiencing the human world for the first time, such as offering it a banana. Stegosaurus has come to Dino Town to visit his Granny, but from the moment he steps off the train, nothing goes quite as planned. With hilariously nonsensical questions and answers, unpredictable dino drama, and plenty to spot on every page, this picture book by bestselling authors Adam & Charlotte Guillain and illustrator Gareth Conway is huge fun to read aloud and is sure to become a repeat-read family favorite.
Age
4-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
If you could talk to a dinosaur, what would you ask it and why?
How do you think the boy in the story felt when he first met the dinosaur?
What do you think dinosaurs like to do for fun?
If you had a dinosaur friend, what activities would you do together?
How can we be kind and make friends with someone who is very different from us?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in the story and think about what they would do if they met a dinosaur.
Discuss the emotions depicted in the book, asking your child how they think the characters feel at different points and why.
Encourage creative thinking by asking your child to come up with their own fun activities to do with a dinosaur friend.
Use the book's theme of friendship with the unusual or unknown to discuss the importance of kindness and acceptance of differences.
Prompt your child to think about the qualities that make a good friend, and how they can be a good friend to others, including those who are different from them.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: The story illustrates how the child protagonist tries to understand the feelings and perspectives of the dinosaur, promoting empathy.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson in their daily interactions by considering the feelings of others and responding with kindness and understanding.
Example Lesson: Courage
Explanation: Facing a dinosaur, the protagonist shows bravery. This highlights the importance of courage in the face of the unknown or intimidating situations.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to face their personal fears and challenges with bravery, whether it’s trying something new or standing up for what is right.
Example Lesson: Communication
Explanation: The book focuses on the dialogue between the child and the dinosaur, showcasing effective communication.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be reflected in how children learn to express themselves clearly and listen actively in conversations with peers and adults.
Example Lesson: Curiosity
Explanation: The child’s interaction with the dinosaur sparks questions and learning, driving home the value of curiosity.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to ask questions and seek out information in their everyday learning experiences at school or during play.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: The protagonist and the dinosaur work together to solve problems that arise during their interaction, which underlines the importance of collaborative problem solving.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to work together with others to find solutions to common problems, whether in classroom settings or in social scenarios.