View, Do, and Read

Hopping Aboard the Dinosaur Train

By Jennifer Wheeler, WHYY Educational Programs and Services Manager

This time of year is always exciting. For children, the fall always welcomes in many new changes. In addition to welcoming a new school year, picking out new school supplies, and reuniting with friends, PBS gets to unveil its new fall line up. WHYY is happy to announce the premiere of Dinosaur Train, the newest show from Jim Henson Company.

VIEW

Dinosaur Train in season one has 40 half hour episodes that begin airing this fall. This CGI-animated show embraces and celebrates the fascination that preschoolers have with both dinosaurs and trains while encouraging basic scientific thinking and skills as the audience learns about natural science, natural history, and paleontology. What is also endearing are the family dynamics between the siblings. Tiny, Shiny, Don, and Buddy (an adopted dinosaur) explore other dinosaurs and the natural world on their adventures on the Dinosaur Train. Traveling through the "time tunnel" these siblings learn about working and playing together while exploring the world around them. Dinosaur Train airs on WHYY weekdays at 9:30 am and 2:30 pm.

DO

Trains and dinosaurs, what's not to love? We are so fortunate to have some of the best places to see both in the Delaware Valley.

• Dinosaur Hall at The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia
  Spend the day looking at the various species in Dinosaur Hall or explore dinosaurs like a real paleontologist at The Big Dig and Fossil Prep Lab exhibits.


• Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania/Strasburg Railroad
  In addition to the museum exhibits, families can ride on the Historic Strasburg Railroad.


• National Toy Train Museum
  A world class collection of toy trains for kids of all ages.


• Brandywine River Museum (during the Holiday season)
  A popular holiday exhibition of over 150 locomotives and 300 freight cars including "Thomas the Tank Engine" and his friends!

READ

Here are some great selections to look for at your local library or book store.

First Dinosaur Encyclopedia
by DK Publishing

Oh, Say Can You Say DI-NO-SAUR?
(Cat in the Hat's Learning Library)
by Bonnie Worth

The Big Book of Dinosaurs
by Angela Wilkes

The Best Book of Dinosaurs
by Christopher Maynard

The Best Book of Trains
(Best Books of)
by Richard Balkwill

The Goodnight Train
by June Sobel and Laura Huliska-Beith

All Aboard Trains
(Reading Railroad)
by Mary Harding and Richard Courtney

Thomas' ABC Book
(Pictureback(R))
by Rev. W. Awdry

Eyewitness: Train
(Eyewitness Books)
by John Coiley

Did you know that the WHYY is your place for family events and broadcasting in the Delaware Valley?

Please join us on Saturday, November 14th for the Y12K Run and WHYY Kids Family Fit Zone. This event has something for the entire family! A 12K run, 3K run, and various activities to get the kids moving and active. Meet Sid the Science Kid and other great PBS characters as well. For more information about the Y12K Run and WHYY Kids Family Fit Zone, go to whyy.org/y12k.

Can't wait to see you there!