Dazzle the Dinosaur

Dazzle the Dinosaur

Author: Marcus Pfister

Genre: Fiction

Grade Level: Grades K-3

Year Published: 1994

Summary

This is the story about an unusual dinosaur that was born with shiny, dazzling spines along his back. The dinosaur and his family live in a place where there are safe from the other dangerous dinosaurs, but Dazzle and his sister one day go to look for the cave where they used to be able to live safely. After meeting many dinosaurs on the way, they find the cave and chase away the dinosaur living in there using Dazzle’s spines. 

About the Author

Marcus Pfister was born in Switzerland on July 30, 1960. He went to the Art School of Bern (Switzerland) and became trained in the field of graphic design. After he completed school and had worked as a graphic designer, he traveled for a bit across the world. When he returned, he began working for himself as an independent graphic artist. He became an author/illustrator along with pursuing graphic artistry, and it wasn't until The Rainbow Fish that he became known internationally. He has published 49 books! He has four children, and currently resides in Switzerland. In his free time, he enjoys basketball and photography.

Source: http://www.marcuspfister.ch/biography.htm

How to Use it

The main idea of this book is that even though Dazzle was different from the other dinosaurs, he still saved the day in the end, and found his family a safe place to live. This shows the children that even though sometimes people are different, they can still do special things with their differences.

Pre-Reading: Ask these questions: What can all of you tell me about dinosaurs? What kinds of dinosaurs do you think are dangerous? When did dinosaurs live on the earth? What kind of dinosaurs do you think are normally nice? Have you ever heard of a dinosaur with shiny silver spines?

Post-Reading: With this book, a large group discussion involving differences would work in order to make sure the message hits home for the kids. Also, for a younger age, a coloring activity with shiny foil for the back of the dinosaur would assist them in remembering the message of the book. 

What do I Think?

I think that this is a great book to use in an elementary classroom. It can lend itself to an excellent art project for Pre-K or K students, and also can be used as a character education theme for older students. I will definitely be reading this in my classroom this year!