Good Night, Dinosaurs

It can lead students to research more about dinosaurs, however it does not necessarily foster development of processes at all. Different types of dinosaurs are mentioned, like allosauruses, stegosauruses, and diplodocuses. Students can observe the different dinosaurs in the book and potentially look for the skeletons of the dinosaurs upon visiting a museum. Students could also classify the different dinosaurs based on similar characteristics.

• Author: Judy Sierra
• Illustrator: Victoria Chess
• Year Published: 1996
• ISBN: 978-0395650165

Science Topics

• Life Science

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

• Kindergarten

Maximum Suggested Grade Level

• 2nd Grade

Summary

A peek into what occurs during bedtime for dinosaurs.

Evaluation

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

Questions

Does the book foster development of processes?

It can lead students to research more about dinosaurs, however it does not necessarily foster development of processes at all. Different types of dinosaurs are mentioned, like allosauruses, stegosauruses, and diplodocuses. Students can observe the different dinosaurs in the book and potentially look for the skeletons of the dinosaurs upon visiting a museum. Students could also classify the different dinosaurs based on similar characteristics.

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

The book does not really provide much opportunity for children to both ask and answer their own questions. There is not enough accurate information (except for the names of the dinosaurs and the time period they were alive) for children to have questions answered that they may think of. Outside resources would be needed, as well a more accurate ones.

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

There are no opportunities for any scientific questions to be raised and for children to go out and become active scientists/researchers. The feel of the book is more of a story, so it is telling children what is happening (i.e. what dinosaurs do before they go to bed, like read stories).

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

It seems to be a dinosaur fantasy. The only real appropriate depiction of the dinosaurs seems to be the names of them and the time period they were alive, as well as the illustrations that depict what the landscaped looked at that time.

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

The only scientific thing seems to just be the names of the dinosaurs and the time era they were apart of. Even then, some of the names are not accurate and could cause confusion for children. For example, it names ‘scaredysauruses’ as dinosaurs.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

It talks about the different dinosaurs, but does not distinguish if the activities they do are fact or fiction. If read to younger children they may believe that this book is depicting dinosaurs as participating in bed time stories, older children may be able to come up with some indication of the book centering mostly around fiction, rather than fact.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

The illustrations are clear as you can clearly see they are dinosaurs. However, for accuracy, there seems to not be any distinction between the different sizes and overall habitats of the dinosaurs.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

For my third graders, this book is below level for my students. For a few of them though, it may be just at their level since they are still learning English. It’s written pretty simple, however the names of the different dinosaurs may prove to be difficult for students to pronounce.

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

It’s mostly dinosaurs, so there’s not really any multicultural stuff represented. However, it does kind of stereotype against typical children behavior, such as causing trouble because of not wanting to do anything.

Is the book free from gender bias?

There are no different genders represented, except for a mom and dad. So, I would say that this book is pretty free from gender bias. My main reason for this is because there are in fact no humans in the book, just dinosaurs.

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

There is not much science involved other than the fact that it is about dinosaurs. Children and teachers could make the mistake of seeing it as helping learn about dinosaurs since it is pretty kid friendly, but there are no close associations between science and other disciplines.

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

There are not really any attitudes toward technology present, so I guess the attitude is pretty neutral. As for science, it does not do much promoting of the scientific background of dinosaurs and about the different species.