Image 1 of 1
Frequently Asked Questions:
Facing the Dinosaurs
What is Facing the Dinosaurs about?
After watching an exciting dinosaur movie, Zainu falls asleep and dreams his way into a lush green jungle full of dinosaurs. He meets gentle giants like a Triceratops and a Brachiosaurus, escapes a mighty T-Rex by floating down a stream, bravely scares off a Velociraptor, and makes new friends, until a splashing waterfall brings him safely back to his cozy bedroom.
What age group is this book for?
It’s written for children ages 4 to 7, especially those who love dinosaurs. It’s a great read-aloud, and confident early readers can enjoy it on their own.
Is there anything scary in the story?
There are a few exciting moments: a T-Rex chases Zainu through the jungle, and a Velociraptor comes close before Zainu scares it away. These scenes are full of action but never frightening for long. Zainu always escapes safely, and the story ends calmly with him waking up in his cozy bedroom and getting a hug from his mom. For very sensitive young children, parents may like to read it together first.
Is it a good bedtime story?
Yes. Although the adventure is thrilling, it ends gently, with Zainu safe at home and drifting into happy dreams. Reading it together helps children see that even exciting dreams end safely.
What can children learn from this book?
The story celebrates courage, kindness, and imagination. Zainu learns that he can be brave even when something feels big and scary, and that being brave and kind makes every adventure special. Children also meet real dinosaurs and learn their names.
Which dinosaurs appear in the book?
Children will meet a T-Rex, Triceratops, Velociraptor, Stegosaurus, Brachiosaurus, Apatosaurus, and a Pterodactyl (including a baby in its nest), a wonderful introduction for young dinosaur fans.
Can teachers use this book in the classroom?
Yes. Facing the Dinosaurs works well in preschool, kindergarten, and early elementary classrooms, for circle time, a read-aloud, or units on dinosaurs, prehistoric life, and feelings like courage and fear.
Classroom activity ideas:
Dinosaur roll call: children name each dinosaur in the story and share one fact about it.
Be brave like Zainu: talk about a time each child felt scared and what helped them feel brave.
Draw your dinosaur friend: children draw the friendly dinosaur they’d most like to meet.
Retell the story: children put the events in order: the movie, the jungle, the T-Rex chase, the stream, the Velociraptor, the waterfall, and waking up.
Teachers interested in using the book with their class, or in arranging a school or library reading, are welcome to contact R. Suleman.
Who is Zainu?
Zainu is a curious, kind-hearted young boy who loves adventure. Children can join him on more journeys in A Day at the Beach, Zainu Goes to a Lake, and A Travel by Air.
Who wrote the book?
Facing the Dinosaurs was written by R. Suleman, an award-winning author whose stories for children, teens, and adults explore courage, kindness, and hope. His storybooks began as homemade bedtime tales for his own grandchildren.
Is the book illustrated?
Yes. Every page features bright, colorful illustrations of Zainu, the jungle, and the dinosaurs he meets.
What format is the book available in?
Facing the Dinosaurs is available as an ebook, which you can buy and download instantly from this website.
How do I receive the ebook after buying it?
After checkout, you’ll receive an email with a secure download link. The link stays active for 24 hours after your first download, so save the file to your device.
Can I read the ebook on a tablet or phone?
Yes. It can be read on tablets, phones, and computers.
Are there other books for young readers by R. Suleman?
Yes. Explore more picture books such as A Day at the Beach, Zainu Goes to a Lake, A Travel by Air, Dream World, and Camping in the Hills in the Kids Books section.
Questions to talk about after reading (for parents)
Which dinosaur would you most like to meet, and why?
How did Zainu show he was brave when the Velociraptor came close?
What would you do if you met a friendly dinosaur?
Have you ever had an exciting dream? What happened?
