Dinosaur's Day (Dorling Kindersley Readers, Level 1: Beginning to Read) [Paperback]

Ruth Thomson (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

This Level 1 book is appropriate for children who are just beginning to read.

In Dinosaur's Day, children follow a day in the life of a Triceratops, including his encounter with a Tyrannosaurus Rex and a successful escape. For children who are just beginning to read and who have a limited vocabulary, these 32-page Level 1 books-about everything from tadpoles to puppies-use word repetition and simple sentences to convey meaning. Picture dictionary boxes with word labels "show" the meanings of words. These books contain between 400 and 450 words each, and they are 80 percent pictures and 20 percent text. The Dorling Kindersley Readers combine an enticing visual layout with high-interest, easy-to-read stories to captivate and delight young bookworms who are just getting started. Written by leading children's authors and compiled in consultation with literacy experts, these engaging books build reader confidence along with a lifelong appreciation for nonfiction, classic stories, and biographies. There is a DK Reader to interest every child at every level, from preschool to grade 4.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2-Told in first person, present tense, this rather anemic easy-reader includes many dinosaur facts. A triceratops tells of his adventures as he wanders away from his herd and must fight a tyrannosaurus. Clear photos of small dinosaur models mixed with color drawings give the appearance of an informational text. A "Picture word list" is included. True dinosaur aficionados will expect more realistic drawings and a more plausible text.
Nancy A. Gifford, Schenectady County Public Library, NY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: DK Children; 1st edition (July 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789466341
• ISBN-13: 978-0789466341
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,343,356 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well-written, concept-driven, accurate, age-appropriate dinosaur book for young children, February 21, 2009

By 

Science-Minded "ParentingScience.com" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dinosaur's Day (Dk Readers Level 1) (Paperback)

I've read over 30 dinosaur books aimed at young children. This is one of the best-written. That's because it avoids misleading statements and dull statistical facts. Instead, it emphasizes behavior, adaptations, and the broader ecological context.

The book presents a pleasant narrative telling the day in the life of a Tricerotops. The sentences are simple, designed for beginning readers but nonetheless interesting. "...I spend all day eating plants. I snip off leaves and twigs with my sharp beak. I live in a group called a herd. We keep watch for fierce dinosaurs..."

Along the way, the narrator mentions several other dinosaurs, each pictured and named by genus:

* Ornithomimus
* Edmontosaurus
* Pachycephalosaurus
* Parasaurolophus
* Ankylosaurus

And of course Tyrannosaurus, who is the villain of the piece. About a third of the story is devoted to an attack by this predator. The Tricerotops successfully fights him off, and nobody gets killed. The story should please most kids between the ages of 3 and 6 years.

The book's weak point is it's illustrations. The book relies heavily on photographs of models--models which are often posed against a plain white background. The results feel rather lifeless. The few human-illustrated pages in the book appear to come from different stock sources (i.e., they aren't by the same illustrator). Ruth Thomson's clear and dramatic writing deserve better visual support.

- Parenting Science

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My son loves this book!, May 10, 2007

By 

L. B. Meadows (Spring, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dinosaur's Day (Dorling Kindersley Readers, Level 1: Beginning to Read) (Paperback)

My son is dyslexic and finding books of interest to help him learn to read is hard. He loves dinosaurs and the pictures in this book are realistic. The text is 1st grade level (a little challenging for him)but he wants to try to read this one every night. Great choice for all young dino crazed readers.

5.0 out of 5 stars Dinosaur's dilema, October 13, 2011

By 

J. Fischofer (Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dinosaur's Day (DK READERS) (Paperback)

Great easy to read book with a plot of interest to children. The words used are very readable. May need help with Dinosaur names. I truly enjoyed this kids' book as did my grandson!