Bookworm: Reading wth Reptiles

From skating and sledding to art camps and puppet shows, there was plenty to do in Halifax this March break. But if our visit to the Discovery Centre was any indication, thousands of kids spent their break exploring our city’s museums. Right now, one of Halifax’s most popular exhibits seems to be the Little Ray’s Reptile Zoo presentation at the Museum of Natural History, Living Under Fire: Life in the Desert.

So, for all those kids who spent time learning about reptiles this month, here are some silly stories about everyone’s favourite pre-historic lizards: Dinosaurs.

 

Dinosaur’s Binket by Sandra Boynton

Ages 0-2

 

While some children have stuffed elephants or bears, Dinosaur has his binket—a soft, fuzzy yellow blanket. One night, when Dinosaur realizes that his binket is missing, bedtime turns to chaos. No matter what his mother says, there’s no way Dinosaur is going to bed binketless. But when the binket is finally found, Dinosaur quickly snuggles in and goes to sleep. With its touch and feel pages, babies and toddlers will love this sweet, colourful board book.

 

Tyrannosaurus Drip by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by David Roberts

Ages: 3-6

This rollicking, rhyming story begins when a Compsognathus steals a small egg from a duckbill dinosaur’s nest. That egg would have been lunch, if the tiny thieving reptile had not been startled by “a mean Tyrannosaurus and his grim and grisly bride.” He drops the egg and it rolls to a stop alongside two eggs in the T. Rex’s nest. When the eggs hatch, it quickly become obvious that one of the dinosaurs is different. As he gets bigger, he’s teased by the meat-eating dinosaurs and given the nickname “Tyrannosaurus Drip”. Fed up, he runs away and joins a herd of duckbill dinosaurs. He quickly discovers that even though he can’t hunt, he can swim!  Young readers will be thrilled when the T. Rex’s discover that hunting doesn’t solve everything…

 

Saturday Night at the Dinosaur Stomp by Carol Diggory Shields, illustrated by Scott Nash

Ages 2-4

 

Dinosaurs are quick to spread the word when there’s a chance to dance. After spending the day getting ready, all kinds of dinosaurs quickly make “dinosaur tracks for the Dinosaur Stomp.”  And whether they arrive by air, land, or sea, there’s no shortage of guests at this party.  Soon enough, the band begins with a “Boomalacka boomalacka! Whack! Whack! Whack!” and the dancing is quick to follow. This lively book with its sing-song text will have kids bouncing along with the antics of these musical dinos.

 

No T. Rex in the Library by Toni Buzzeo, illustrated by Sachiko Yoshikawa

Ages 3-5

 

Tess is visiting the library with her mother when she gets out of control and starts making a ruckus. When she won’t follow the rules, her mother put her in time out. But for Tess, that time-out is anything but a break.  It’s up to her to restore the peace when a T. Rex comes roaring out of the book she’s reading and begins tearing around the library, leaving a trail of destruction behind him. Luckily, Tess knows how to get him back under control.

 

Sarah Sawler lives in St Margarets Bay, N.S., with her partner and her two boys. A love of reading has inspired her career in magazine and web writing, as well as her new website and blog www.booksbetweenthelines.ca

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/hrmparent/CLkz/~3/It8Ylt4BYdo/index.php