Max and Ivy Explore Dinosaurs brings the prehistoric world into children's hands through a complete Read, Play, Learn set. The 32-page illustrated storybook follows Max and Ivy as they discover dinosaurs, learn about the creatures that once roamed the earth, and uncover fossils from the past. When the story is finished, six dinosaur figures, a felt playmat, a toy egg fossil, and two skeleton discovery fossils are waiting to bring everything they have read to life.

How it helps

Dinosaurs are one of the most reliable sparks for a child's curiosity, and this set uses that enthusiasm to draw children into reading. The story gives the play components a narrative context: children are not just moving figures around a mat, they are re-enacting what they have read. That connection between words on a page and physical play is a meaningful step towards building reading motivation in children who might otherwise find books hard to engage with. The fossil elements add a further layer of discovery, introducing simple ideas about palaeontology and scientific observation in a way that is accessible from age three.

Why it works in early years and primary settings

• Supports multiple areas of the EYFS and KS1 curriculum. The set touches on literacy (reading and retelling), understanding the world (prehistoric animals, fossils, timescales), and expressive arts and design (imaginative, small-world play), making it easy to justify as a teaching resource.
• Ready-made small-world play resource. The felt playmat and figures can be used independently of the book as a structured play station or free-choice activity, without any additional set-up from staff.
• Accessible for mixed ability groups. The story is designed for ages 3 to 7, spanning nursery through lower KS1. It works equally well as a read-aloud and as an independent or paired reading activity.
• Builds vocabulary and scientific language. The story introduces dinosaur names and fossil concepts in context, giving children a foothold in scientific terminology that can be extended across topics.
• Strong engagement for reluctant readers. The promise of physical play following the story gives reading a clear purpose and reward, which is particularly valuable for children who find sitting with a book challenging.

For home use

Any child who has ever roared at a T-Rex will love this set. The combination of story, figures, and fossils gives children enough to return to again and again, and the felt playmat is easy to roll up and store between sessions. It makes an excellent gift for a dinosaur-obsessed child at any point in the 3 to 7 age range.

• 32-page fully illustrated storybook following Max and Ivy as they explore the world of dinosaurs and discover fossils.
• Read, Play, Learn format: the dinosaur figures and fossils mirror elements from the story, creating a connected hands-on experience.
• 6 x dinosaur figures (each approximately 6 inches / 15cm), suitable for small-world and imaginative play.
• 1 x felt playmat (70 x 50cm), providing a dedicated play surface that rolls up for easy storage.
• 1 x toy egg fossil and 2 x skeleton discovery fossils, introducing basic palaeontology concepts through play.
• Aimed at ages 3 to 7, suitable from early years through to lower KS1.
• Supports literacy, understanding the world, scientific vocabulary, and small-world play.
• High-quality, vibrant packaging with colours that match the storybook illustrations.

• What age is this set suitable for?
  The set is designed for children aged 3 to 7. The storybook works well as a read-aloud with younger children in this range and as a shared or independent read for older ones. The play components are appropriate throughout.
• Are the dinosaur figures and fossils safe for young children?
  The figures are approximately 6 inches in size, which reduces choking risk. As with all small-part toys, adult supervision is recommended for children at the younger end of the age range. We recommend confirming material safety certifications with the supplier before listing.
• Is this suitable for children with dyslexia or learning differences?
  Yes. The Read, Play, Learn format is particularly well suited to children who benefit from multi-sensory experiences. Reading the story and then enacting it physically reinforces comprehension and vocabulary in a way that does not rely on written output, making it inclusive for a wide range of learners.
• Can this be used in a classroom or early years setting?
  Yes. The felt playmat and figures work well as a small-world play station, and the storybook can be used for guided reading or as a class read-aloud. The set can also support science and understanding-the-world topics on prehistoric animals and fossils.
• Are there other sets in the Max and Ivy range?
  Yes. Max and Ivy is a series of Read, Play, Learn sets covering different themes including magic tricks, money management, and sports. Each set follows the same format: a storybook paired with physical props that bring the story directly into play.