If you would like to learn more about dinosaurs there are loads of great resources online which are child friendly and fee. Try the following: Children have been busy researching dinosaurs in school and at home. In addition we have been looking at non-fiction, information books and we now know the names of several dinosaurs. Miss Cochrane is even able to pronounce some of their names! Join in as the dinosaurs stir up a dinosaurumpus! Instantly appealing, with bright and lively illustrations, and Tony Mitton's fantastic poetry and rhyming words. As you re read the book encourage children to join in with the refrains such as ‘Up with rivers! Down with water!’ And ‘SPLASH!’ Talk about the story

Great hub and great choice of book. Even if I didn't read it yet, I remember that when I was a teacher, the young children had quite a fascination with those big animals! And you are right... reading gives the opportunity to ask questions to children and to engage them further! A rhyming text with a memorable refrain, along with a gentle anti-war message and bold, appealing illustrations, will make this book a welcome addition to any child's library. Before Malcolm and I had our three sons we used to go busking together and I would write special songs for each country; the best one was in Italian about pasta. Tyrannosaurus Drip is a fantastic rhyming adventure story from Julia Donaldson, bestselling author of The Gruffalo, with wonderfully funny illustrations from award-winning illustrator David Roberts. This roar-tastic book all about celebrating difference is sure to become a firm favourite with young dinosaur fans. Spring 2/ Summer 1 - Growing/Minibeasts - Aaaarrgghh, Spider! Once There were Giants - Celebrations

Funnily enough, I find it harder to write not in verse, though I feel I am now getting the hang of it! My novel THE GIANTS AND THE JONESES is going to be made into a film by the same team who made the Harry Potter movies, and I have written three books of stories about the anarchic PRINCESS MIRROR-BELLE who appears from the mirror and disrupts the life of an otherwise ordinary eight-year-old. I have just finished writing a novel for teenagers.

I grew up in a tall Victorian London house with my parents, grandmother, aunt, uncle, younger sister Mary and cat Geoffrey (who was really a prince in disguise. Mary and I would argue about which of us would marry him). Using the pictures in the book or model dinosaurs children could tell the story in their own words. Watch a video Watch Julia Donaldson and her husband Malcolm singing a song about Tyrannosaurus Drip here Things to make and do Play the story Interesting story to use in a class. Would be fun to work on in a playful way with children, as well as a good discussion for themes of family, friends, fitting in and getting along. 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. One of my television songs, A SQUASH AND A SQUEEZE, was made into a book in 1993, with illustrations by the wonderful Axel Scheffler. It was great to hold the book in my hand without it vanishing in the air the way the songs did. This prompted me to unearth some plays I’d written for a school reading group, and since then I’ve had 20 plays published. Most children love acting and it’s a tremendous way to improve their reading.I really enjoy writing verse, even though it can be fiendishly difficult. I used to memorise poems as a child and it means a lot to me when parents tell me their child can recite one of my books. Many children’s books make great stimulus for philosophical discussion. Don’t be put off by the notion of philosophy– kids are natural philosophers always asking why. Below are some of the “Big Questions” That arise from the book.