Dinosaur Train: Submarine Adventures

PreS-Gr 3—Each of four episodes of the "Dinosaur Train" series highlights a different sea creature. Not all are dinosaurs, however. The chapters are: "Otto Opththalmosaurus," "Shoshana Shonosaurus," "Maisie Monsosaurus," and "A Sea Turtle Tale." The Mosasaurus was a giant sea lizard and Archelons were ancient sea turtles. Each episode gives information about the size, shape, and distinguishing features of these creatures encapsulated in the Pteranodon family's outing on the Dinosaur Train submarine. Positive role models abound as the Pteranodon parents are thoughtful, the train conductor is an avid educator, and the little Pteranodons and their foster brother, Buddy, a T-Rex, always say please and ask their parents' permission. Kids will be caught up in the fascinating information, blasts of animated colors, and silly jokes. The songs during the episodes aren't as catchy as the theme song and get old quickly, but this is a small quibble. Voice work on the series is top-rate, and each character is easy to distinguish. Some new vocabulary words are introduced. Special features include a paleontologist, Dr. Scott, reiterating the information about the different creatures and comparing them to modern animals like whales or komodo dragons with live footage of each. The DVD has a special features menu to get to other activities or individual episodes. This is an enjoyable way for young children to learn a lot about these creatures.—C. A. Fehmel, St. Louis County Library, MO