Gigantosaurus

Product Information

Find out about the different kinds of dinosaurs mentioned in the story. Can you write a report about each one? An interactive PowerPoint based on the book by Jonny Duddle. A set of seven workshhets involving work on rhyme, capitalisation, writing questions, big/small vocabulary, sequencing words in muddled sentences, picture sequencing and caption writing. Includes Smartbook notebook files which support the sequencing and caption writing exercises. In this dinosaur-themed retelling of "The Boy Who Cried Wolf," one little dino offers to watch for predators while his friends play. He thinks it's hilarious to falsely warn the others about approaching enemies, just to watch them scurry and hide for nothing. But when the threat becomes real, he learns his lesson. Includes a colorful poster and more information about dinosaurs -- including the eponymous Gigantosaurus. This was an interesting read. I started out loving it, but the ending was too abrupt and left me thinking, that’s it? The overall story is about a bunch of little dinosaurs that go out and play in the jungle. Their parents warn them of the Gigantosaurus. One of the dinosaurs decides to be look out while they are playing and starts testing the others by yelling they see the Gigantosaurus every other minute only to say they were kidding. The idea is the dinosaur is trying to practice for the real moment when and if the Gigantosaurus should show up. All of the dinosaurs in the book are real (with a tiny description at the end) apart from the Giganotsaurus.

Three cute dinosaurs and one ugly dinosaur subtly named Bonehead are warned by their parents to avoid the Gigantosaurus. Little dinosaurs Bonehead, Tiny, Fin and Bill, have been warned about the “fierce and wild” Gigantosaurus. They must be very careful when they are out playing and exploring. One day, Bonehead the smallest of the friends, assigns himself as the lookout for the monster. It was a translation so I was surprised that it's still a rhyming book. Then I was confused as the rhyming was very heavy-handed. GIGANTOSAURUS is a picture book which will not only delight young readers but adults as well. Like The Boy who Cried Wolf, the theme to the story shares the caution of even when a liar is telling the truth, they are unlikely to be believed. Look at the pattern of rhyming words in the story. Can you make your own collection of rhyming words?As a rule, the problem with rhythmic stories for children – which you notice when you’re reading them out loud over and over again – is that you often find that you want to add or remove words to retain a more poetic flow than the original. The Gruffalo was one of the only books I’ve read where that isn’t the case, though unfortunately that level of attention wasn’t repeated in all the other books by Julia Donaldson. Gigantosaurus, however, flows brilliantly, almost perfectly. The repeated segments are catchy and easy for you and your child to remember, for example:

I’ve made this thing I call a ‘BOOK’. I might let you three have a look. We’ll play my game called DINO-SPOT. To win, you’ll have to spot the lot!” Bonehead thinks he’s the best dino spotter. But can he find GIGANTOSAURUS? Read an extract HERE Basically, the three little dinosaurs play no part in the whole story and regardless of everything, they don't get eaten. Only Bonehead gets eaten yet he's the only one who actually sees the Gigantosaurus. Were his friends supposed to help? In season 3, our four heroes will discover the joys of sharing their daily life with their little brothers and sisters who are none other than the 4 baby dinos discovered in season 2. Even if it’s a lot of fun, it’s also a lot of responsibility!All we’ve heard about for at least the last decade is The Gruffalo (I know it was first published in 1999, but as with most things it took numerous years to become a household word). It certainly is an outstanding children’s book in its own right. Having a small boy (our very own Gruffalo’s Child), my husband and I can confidently recite the book from cover to cover (as can our son, an avid reader who has already loved several copies to death). Wonderfully characterised and atmospheric illustrations complement humorous rhyming text, in a story that will appeal to young dinosaur-lovers. Ideal for reading to groups as plenty of repetition will encourage youngsters to join in.