Reviews
There are so many incredible books available at the moment that it is impossible to read them all, no matter how hard I try! Here are my thoughts about some of the books I have read and how I think they could be used in school as well as Q and A sessions with authors and illustrators.
How Many Dinosaurs is Too Many?
When a child meets a lovely orange dinosaur, they are delighted. But one dinosaur is never enough and soon they have ten colourful, energetic dinosaur friends. However, the disruption and chaos caused by these messy, cheeky characters is soon just too much and so the child decides that they all have to go. Once alone, the child is left feeling sad…until they are reunited with their original friend. One dinosaur is perfect!
Full of energy and humour, the rhyming text is a delight to read aloud as the antics of the dinosaurs at first delights and then worries the little child. There is no indication as to whether this is a boy or a girl, making it easy for readers to identify with the character as the adventure develops. Children will enjoy counting along as each new dinosaur appears and the book is sure to inspire counting and matching games with toys or pictures of dinosaurs.
The illustrations are wonderful, offering plenty of opportunities for finding the different dinosaurs in each picture and noticing all their antics. Children are sure to notice the worried expression on the little orange dinosaur’s face as things get out of hand and the child realises that, perhaps, what they wished for is not as good as they thought it would be! In the end, the two friends are reunited, realising that two makes perfect company!
A lovely story for home and school!
How Many Dinosaurs is Too Many?
Lou Peacock, illustrated by Nicola Slater
Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-1839945519
Pop!
One afternoon, Dave and his friends burst into life when a pan of corn is put on the hob. Bouncing around the pan, at last the popping stops and after a shower of sugar, they all settle down to watch a movie.
Bursting with bright, colourful illustrations, ‘Pop!’ is wonderfully quirky and full of fun! Matt Carr manages to convey such personality to Dave and his pals as they pop into life. The lively rhyming text is perfect for reading aloud, with lots of ‘popping’ noises to join in with. The story also offers a brilliant excuse for making and sharing popcorn, enjoying watching the process, discussing what’s happening and relating this to the book.
The story links brilliantly to learning to count to 10- and beyond! Children will enjoy drawing Dave and his cheeky popcorn pals, numbering and naming them, as well as creating their own characters. A brilliant tale for home and school!
Pop! Matt Carr
Scholastic ISBN: 978-0702306228
