The Hugasaurus: (DinoFeelings)
What’s inside...
The Hugasaurus is a heartwarming tale about a young dinosaur learning to navigate complex emotions and the importance of hugs in expressing feelings and building relationships. One sunny morning, a happy little Hugasaurus waves goodbye to her Pappysaur and sets off into the world on her own for the first time. When she finds a playground, some new friends welcome her to their games. But it isn't long before the other little dinosaurs start to squabble. Can Hugasaurus bring her new friends back together using the magical power of kindness?
Age
4-6
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Hugasaurus
Discussion points
How do you think the Hugasaurus felt when he couldn't hug his friends?
Why do you think hugs are important for the Hugasaurus and his friends?
Can you think of other ways the dinosaurs could show they care for each other without hugging?
What would you do if you were the Hugasaurus to make your friends feel better?
How do you feel when you give someone a hug?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before turning the page, ask your child to predict how the Hugasaurus might solve his problem.
Relate the story to your child’s experiences by discussing a time when they wanted to show affection but couldn’t through physical touch.
Encourage your child to express their feelings about each part of the story, validating their emotions and connecting them to the characters’ experiences.
Use expressive reading to convey the emotions of the Hugasaurus, enhancing your child’s understanding and empathy.
After reading, engage in a hugging activity to physically connect with the themes of the book, discussing how each hug felt.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding and expressing emotions
Explanation: The Hugasaurus navigates various feelings throughout the story, helping children identify and articulate their own emotions.
Real-World Application: Children can use the examples from the book to express their feelings more clearly in everyday interactions with family and friends.
Example Lesson: Empathy and compassion
Explanation: As the Hugasaurus interacts with other dinosaurs who are feeling down, it teaches the importance of understanding others' emotions.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to recognize when someone else is sad or upset and offer comfort or help, just like the Hugasaurus.
Example Lesson: The power of kindness
Explanation: The Hugasaurus uses hugs as a way to spread kindness and cheer among friends, showing that small acts can have a big impact.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by engaging in small acts of kindness, such as sharing or comforting a peer, to positively influence their surroundings.
Example Lesson: Importance of friendship
Explanation: Throughout the book, the Hugasaurus and its friends support each other, depicting strong bonds of friendship.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to nurture their friendships through mutual support and understanding, vital for their social development.