Dinosaur Train: Big Pond Adventures

PreS-Gr 2—This collection includes eight episodes of the PBS series, which features the Pteranodon family. Mr. and Mrs. Pteranodon love all their children—Tiny, Shiny, and Don, as well as a young T. rex, Buddy—and teach them life lessons while also having fun. As the mixed-species family goes on adventures, the young creatures learn to appreciate their own strengths, value their differences, and work together as a team. Dinosaur facts abound, and issues such as adapting to drought and preventing overfishing are presented. It's all done with vivid animation and perky music, good vocabulary building, and a few brief appearances by scientists who provide further information. Themes involve problem-solving, cooperation, and perseverance, all at a level young children will understand. Kids can watch the entire program or simply view individual episodes.