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Dinosong

A playful adventure with dinosaurs and sounds

Tim McCanna author Richard Smythe illustrator

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Simon & Schuster

Published:1st Oct '20

Should be back in stock very soon

Dinosong cover

This enchanting picture book features dinosaurs embarking on a lively adventure, filled with playful sounds and vibrant illustrations, perfect for young readers. Dinosong brings joy and education together.

In Dinosong, readers are taken on a whimsical journey through the prehistoric world alongside three charming dinosaurs: a triceratops, a sauropod, and an ankylosaur. Author Tim McCanna masterfully weaves a narrative that is both engaging and educational, utilizing playful onomatopoeia to bring the adventure to life. Each sound, from 'Chip' to 'Scatter', invites young readers to join in the fun, creating an interactive reading experience that encourages participation and imagination.

The vibrant illustrations complement the text beautifully, making Dinosong a visual treat as well as a literary one. The art captures the essence of the dinosaurs and their environment, immersing readers in a colorful world filled with adventure. The combination of lively language and striking visuals makes this book an ideal choice for read-aloud sessions, sparking joy and curiosity in children.

Moreover, the backmatter provides additional educational content about rock types and the fascinating world of dinosaurs, enriching the reading experience. Dinosong not only entertains but also informs, making it a valuable addition to any child's library. It’s a delightful blend of storytelling, sound, and science that will captivate young minds and inspire a love for reading and learning.

Sparse, rhythmic, and rhyming narration ("Rumble shiver/ grumble quiver/ SMASH!/ FLASH! JUMP!") follows an ankylosaur, a triceratops, and a sauropod, among other dinosaurs, as they seek shelter before an impending volcanic eruption. The movements of each being are transcribed in gently calligraphic typography, which often evokes characteristics of the onomatopoeic prose ("whack" and "smack," for example, enact the actions upon one another). Rendered in vibrant watercolors and finished digitally, the illustrations recall classic picture books with layered watercolors and stylized landscapes. The art portrays the dinos from a variety of angles, bestowing emotion through creative framing and simple facial features. A simple readaloud ideal for those who favor sound effect-based narratives. Back matter includes a glossary of relevant paleontology and geology vocabulary. Ages 4-8. (Aug.) -- Publishers Weekly * August 3, 2020 *
Modeled on their Watersong (2017) McCanna pairs a text composed nearly exclusively of sound-effect words to Smythe’s bright and sprightly views of a triceratops, an ankylosaurus, and a generic sauropod, all sporting smiles, googly eyes, and hides in glowing hues. They cross a log over a stream, lumber through a rocky landscape as thunder rumbles, and tumble into a dark cave to escape the eruption of a nearby volcano. . . . Definitely a rousingly rumbly ramble. -- Kirkus Reviews
The team behind Watersong shares the adventures of three young Cretaceous- era dinosaurs—a triceratops, an ankylosaurus, and a sauropod—using only spare, rhyming, onomatopoeic words. The three dinosaur friends, rendered in bright pastels with oversized eyes, enjoy exploring their world until a violent thunderstorm and a volcanic eruption put an end to their rough-and-tumble adventures. On the two-page spread where the magma explodes from the volcano, few words are used: “Shuffle scuffle. Slam bam BOOM!” . . . The layout of text, which readers will want to sound out, gives predominance to the vivid illustrations, which make excellent use of contrast and color. . . . Preschoolers will enjoy the simple language and bright colors of this dinosaur story. -- School Library Journal

ISBN: 9781534430020

Dimensions: 260mm x 260mm x 10mm

Weight: 458g

32 pages