
A First Book of Dinosaurs
by Simon Mole, illustrated by Matt Hunt
Interest age: 6 to 8
Reading age: 8+
Published by Walker Books, 2023
About this book
This fun and inventive collection of thirty roar-some, illustrated poems celebrates the weird and wonderful world of dinosaurs.
The poems are grouped into four sections, each covering a different aspect of these fascinating pre-historic creatures; ‘Meet the Dinosaurs’ introduces the likes of the T-Rex, triceratops and more by covering facts about their many unique characteristics. Through playful language and brilliant metaphor, we learn that the Argentinosaurus has legs as tall as tree trunks whilst a Brachiosaurus weighs the same as thirty cars!
In ‘Eat or Be Eaten’, the poems focus on some of the curious food-hunting and foraging habits of different dinosaurs, from menacing meat-eaters to peaceful plant-eaters. The poems in ‘Dinosaur Families’ look at dinosaur groups that share similar features or habitats, whilst the closing pages take a funny and informative look at the legacy of dinosaurs today (with the help of a chicken!)
With striking graphic illustrations that bring a real sense of fun and humour to the poems, this is a book which is great for both dipping in and out of in a classroom setting or treasuring and returning to at home. The combination of well-researched dinosaur facts with an engaging variety of free-verse poems makes this a brilliant resource for Key Stage One teachers looking to bring a fun and fresh approach to the dinosaur curriculum.
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Great Books Guide 2024-25: for 4 to 5-year-olds
Here's a round-up of new children's books from the last year, which we think any child aged 4 to 5 will love