1. Start with something you can notice
Before opening the story, look at the illustration together. Notice a character, a colour or a place. Try “What can you see beside the River?” A point, a sound or a single word can be the whole reply. There is no need to turn the picture into a test.
Then begin reading. In the opening of The Bell Rings, the friends are busy at the Roost and Dax is trying to teach Waffle to sit still. Let the small joke have its moment before the Bell calls everyone to help.
2. Pause when the team is chosen
The Baker’s cart is stuck in the River. When Fig asks which team can help a stuck thing, leave a little space before the next line. If your child remembers Pebble’s pulling strength, they can join in. If they choose another friend, keep reading and see what the story does.
The four teams offer different possibilities: Ivy and Pebble push and pull; Hana and Kite see and fetch; Dax and Waffle run and find; Obi and Maple reach and lift. You do not need to memorise every pair before enjoying the story.
3. Leave room for the answer
The first pull does not work. Hana reminds Ivy to ask first. At the proper ask, pause before Pebble’s response. You might lower your head a little for the frill movement, or invite your child to make the sound with you.
Dinosaurs in these stories answer with sounds and movements. Reading both parts makes the exchange easier to follow even when you are keeping story time quiet.
4. Notice when one more friend is needed
A rescue does not always fit one friend’s skills. When Fig calls for another team, wonder together what that friend can add. Keep the question attached to the moment: “What can Maple reach?” is enough.
You can also skip the question and let the next page answer it. The story is still there to be enjoyed when your child would rather listen.
5. Count everyone home
At the end, the story names the four children and their four dinosaur friends. Fig makes nine. Count on fingers, point to the names, or join in with “All home.” The same familiar ending returns across the series.
On another day, try a different book or return to the favourite joke. The website offers a page-by-page reader and a continuous reading page for every story, so you can choose the format that suits the moment.