Dinosaur Dinosaur

This book does not foster the development of processes. It is a fictional story about a dinosaur and does not have any information for the students about actual dinosaurs.

• Author: Kevin Lewis
• Illustrator: Daniel Kirk
• Year Published: 2006
• ISBN: 0439603714

Science Topics

• Life Science

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

• Prekindergarten

Maximum Suggested Grade Level

• 1st Grade

Summary

This book is a story about a day in the life of a school aged dinosaur that resembles a T-rex.

Evaluation

• Appropriateness: Medium
• Authority: Medium
• Accuracy: Low
• Liteary Artistry: Medium
• Appearance: Medium

Questions

Does the book foster development of processes?

This book does not foster the development of processes. It is a fictional story about a dinosaur and does not have any information for the students about actual dinosaurs.

Does the book provide an opportunity for children to ask and answer their own questions?

There are really no questions that are raised in this book. However, reading this book might get students interested in the real lives of dinosaurs and what they would do during the day when they were alive.

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

This book does not involve the reader in any questioning processes and the readers have no real questions that are brought up in this book. It is for entertainment purposes and there is no deep questions being asked.

Is the science topic addressed in ways that are appropriate to the lesson?

No, the dinosaurs discussed and shown in the book are not appropriate for a science lesson. It has no scientific facts or information for the students. This is just a fictional story for enjoyment.

Is the content based on sound scientific principles? Is it accurate?

No, the content is not based on facts. The daily routine of the dinosaur is in no way similar to the kinds of things a real dinosaur would be doing and how they would be living. The information about the day of a dinosaur is not accurate to what life was like when dinosaurs were living.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

This book does not distinguish between fact and fiction. It just has the story, there is no additional information in the end about real dinosaurs. There is also no other information other than the story in the hardback version, there is no information on the author.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

The illustrations are clear in their depiction of what is going on in the story. They are not accurate scientifically. For example, dinosaurs do not wear clothes. Nor do carnivores dinosaurs play with herbivores.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

Yes, the book is written as a fun story for students in pre-kinder to first grade. It is lyrical and pleasing to listen to. The story is fun and interesting for them. They would enjoy the story and the illustrations.

Is there a multicultural component? Is it free from stereotyping?

There is no multicultural component in this book. The culture shown in the book is the culture of the majority that is shown in most other media. For example, the dinosaurs live in a nice neighborhood with two story houses.

Is the book free from gender bias?

I don't believe the book is free of gender bias. The dinosaurs that are drawn are all either wearing dresses or pants with a shirt, all the girl dinosaurs wear dresses and the boys wear pants with a shirt. The caregiver of the main character and their sibling and the teacher are females and are also depicted very feminine with a dress and bows.

Does the book show the close association between science and other disciplines?

There is not really an association shown between science and other subjects. Since the book does  not really address science itself there is really no connection drawn between it an any other subject.

Does the book present a positive attitude toward science and technology?

I do not feel as though this book presents any kind of attitude in regards to science. However it does not present a negative view either. It is neutral in it's attitude towards any subject at all. It is presented as a fictional story about a dinosaur that is not meant to be scientifically accurate.