Book description from Goodreads: “Your family will roar with laughter at this funny read-​aloud from Adam Wallace, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the How to Catch series. What if dinosaurs showed up at your birthday party? From prehistoric presents to games crashing out of control and your snacks going extinct, it’s a dino disaster! Dinosaurs are big, and strong, and scary, and farty, So do you really want them coming to your birthday party? Watch out! Birthdays will never be the same with this silly picture book adventure featuring lively rhymes and hilarious illustrations.”

Educational Activities inspired by A Very Dinosaur Birthday:

• Before Reading–From looking at the front cover: 
  • What do you think this story might be about, given the title?
  • What does the setting tell you about the story?
  • How are the children reacting to the dinosaur on the cover?
  • How do you feel about dinosaurs? What makes them interesting or exciting to you?
  • What questions would you like to ask the author before reading the book?
• After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
  • Did the story meet your expectations from the cover? Why/​why not?
  • What was your favorite rhyme in the story?
  • What did you think about the ending?
  • Did anything in the story surprise you?
  • What lesson did you learn from the story?
  • How did the illustrations contribute to the story?
  • Which picture did you like the most? Why?
• Design a Dinosaur: Using modeling clay, LEGOs, or other building materials, create your own dinosaur. Think about the body shape, the type of dinosaur you’re building, and how it might move. What would it eat? Where would it live? What would it look like?
• Make a Dinosaur Rhyme: Write your own dinosaur rhyme inspired by the rhyming lines in this book. You can create a short poem or song about a dinosaur having fun at a party or doing something else you imagine. Share it with friends or family!
• Dinosaur Dance Party: Put on some music and dance like a dinosaur. You can stomp, roar, and shake your tail. Invite a “dino” friend to join in the fun!
• Dino Dens: Using blankets, pillows, and chairs, create a dinosaur den. What would a comfy home for a Triceratops look like? How would that be different than for a T‑rex or a flying dinosaur?
• Further Reading: A Very Dinosaur Birthday is about dinosaurs and birthdays. Let’s focus on the second element and look at other picture books that that explore birthdays. Which of these have you already read? Which of the others would you want to read first? (Click on any book cover for more information on these titles!)