Here We Go Digging for Dinosaur Bones

by Susan Lendroth, Bob Kolar (Illustrator)

"This is a perfect book for a dinosaur storytime." —School Library Journal Winner 2021 CLEL Bell Award for SING from Colorado Libraries for Early LiteracyThis STEM-friendly musical fossil dig will have dinosaur lovers singing along as they learn the science behind paleontology.Set to the tune of "Here We Go 'Round the Mulberry Bush," Here We Go Digging for Dinosaur Bones invites budding paleontologists and dinosaur fans on an exciting fossil dig. Readers will hike the trail, scan the ground, and make a find—then discover how to build a T. Rex from its bones.

Genres: Picture Books, Dinosaurs, Storytime, Nonfiction, Science, Music, Childrens

32 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 3, 2020

About the author

Grew up reading anything about the past (histories); learned to love much about the future (science fiction); and now find my favorite books to be puzzling (mysteries). But as a children's author, I write picture books.

Find out what's new with my books (and me and other book-related "stuff"!):

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/susanlendroth/

Author Page on Facebook: http://facebook.com/susanlendroth

Reviews

[Ankit Saxena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Knowledge is good based on what has been given in this picture-book but every info running in background to the ryhming doesn't attract me much. Targeted readers, specially children will not find it a better way to grasp knowledge on the subject.
Illustrations are better than average.

But I'll vouch for it to the level where it will be taken into consideration for the early/lower primary children else it'll be of not much fun.

My NetGalley review: https://www.netgalley.com/book/272945...

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here We Go Digging for Dinosaur Bones by Susan Lendroth, illustrated by Bob Kolar PICTURE BOOK Charlesbridge, 2020. $17. 9781623541040

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

A group of paleontologists are working at a dig, doing all the things dinosaur hunters do, and then back at the museum, they study and put together the dinosaur they found!

I loved that both the author and the illustrator knew exactly what they were doing. The text describing each scene is scientifically accurate, and the illustrations are super cute. The tools are authentic, even the small details, like drawing the discovery in their notebook and the vinac glue used to clean the bones in the lab. My daughter is a paleontologist and is completely gushing over this book! A highly recommended addition to your elementary school library, and a fun buy for any kid who loves dinosaurs. Includes additional detailed information about dinosaurs, dinosaurs on the end papers, and actions to go with the song for storytime.

Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

6/13/2023 - A very good read with cute illustrations. My only complaint is there were no pronunciation guides for the dinosaurs.

6/14/2023 - Madison loves this book so we read it again and flipped through the pictures many times!

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually love how the author/artist gets really creative in giving information suitable for the reading age group!

I find the illustrations and the information given about how we get to know more about dinosaurs really accurate filled with fun and entertainment.

Love the presentation. It’s so cute!

Thank you, Charlesbridge, for the advance reading copy.

[Sunday · Rating 5 out of 5]

"HERE WE GO DIGGING for dinosaur bones,
dinosaur bones,
dinosaur bones.
Here we go digging for dinosaur bones
on a warm and sunny morning."
(To the tune of 'Here we go 'round the mulberry bush')

There's SO MUCH TO LOVE about this book that reveals the work of paleontologists. Super engaging text and illustrations.

On each two-page layout, the song lyric is in larger print with one word/phrase that changes the further this group of paleontologists gets into their discovery (digging, scan the ground, excavate, sift through dirt, etc.). In smaller print, is informational text describing further that point in the paleontologists' process; Lendroth's writing is clear and straightforward--totally appropriate for the young audience. Love that Lendroth uses vocabulary from the field in the lyrics and in the informational text (e.g., excavate, technicians, chisels, etc.)

Kolar's illustrations are bright with lots of little details that support the text. The young audience can learn a lot about the work of paleontologists just by looking at the illustrations. As noted in the back matter, the illustrations are set in Montana's Hell Creek Formation. Each two page layout includes an illustration of an animal that currently lives in that area; the animals are named on a page in the back matter.

The BACK MATTER includes suggestions for adding gestures to each verse of the song.

This book is worthy of students reading and rereading and rereading.
For an INTERACTIVE READ ALOUD - I'd read aloud, sing aloud the lyrics all the way through and then reread a second time with a closer focus on the illustrations and the informational text. Ask students to look closely and say, "What do you notice?" and "What can you learn about the work of a paleontologist?" and "What in the illustration makes you think so?" Then read the informational text for that page and ask, "What did we just add to our learning?"

So much fun!!!

[Heydi Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

There aren't many great books about archeology but this is certainly one. Great addition to a dinosaur, dirt, earth, or team storytime. There are facts in very small print on each page and large text with a song about excavating. It's super cute.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly recommend for the pre-K set, it's cute, fun and educational. Set to the tune of "Here We Go 'Round the Mulberry Bush" this would make a delightful storytime read-aloud to "sing" through the story (there's even a section in the back that shares ideas for movements the children can do for each verse) then share a bit of the supplemental educational material. I especially appreciate that this shows the journey of dinosaur fossils from initial discovery to excavation to preparation and display in the museum. The illustrations are fun and include a diverse group of children. Back matter explains a bit more about dinosaurs, including the relation to modern-day birds. Unfortunately, there is no bibliography, but the author thanks Alan Zdinak, fossil preparator at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, and Carol J Stadum, associate in the paleontology department at Sand Diego Natural History Museum, for their "invaluable advice and expertise."

[Mehsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.


I love dinosaurs! I love books with a funny way to tell a story (though I had to look up the song and while it does sound familiar in tune, I never heard these lyrics)! I love cute illustrations! So this book had to be requested!

In this book, along the tune of some kind of English children’s song, we follow palaeontologists as they hike, search, dig, and do much more! I love that we got, in big text, the song (which yes, I was singing along now I knew the tune, yes, I couldn’t resist singing along, sorry) with what the palaeontologist were doing, and then in lower near the bottom some information on palaeontologists, dinosaur bones and fossils, and much more. That was really fun. We see them have a great time hiking and then OMG a big big find that we, as the reader, could clearly see. They just saw a tiny claw sticking out of the ground, but we the readers knew that something MAGNIFICENT was about to happen! Eep!

I loved seeing the process of how the dinosaur was found, how they excavated it, cleaned and did research, each aspect comes by. Of course, very simplified because I am sure it is not as easy as they show it, but that is OK. Sometimes easy is just better and more fun. 🙂

I loved the ending, it was really cute and I am so happy that those kids were inspired by their visit to the museum, good luck!

I really really loved the illustrations, they were fun, playful, cute, and oh yes, girl with the dino hat? Can I have that hat please? Or can you tell me where to get it? wants the hat

Love that at the end we even get some tips to make the song even more fun! Act it out! I wanted to go back to do that all, haha, I can just imagine that kids will be totally delighted about it. I would have put this information at the beginning though, because mostly you don’t check out the end until… well you finish the book. And while I am sure this book will be reread many times, this is just something you want to do right from your first read!

All in all, a very playful and fun book that had me singing along and cheering for these palaeontologists as they went to find dinosaurs! I would recommend it to all.

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[Andréa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Dione Basseri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A process-forward book about looking for fossils. This isn’t as much about different kinds of dinosaurs, as kids will mostly be used to, but instead about the materials needed for an archeological dig, how to find fossils, how to excavate, and the work done back at museums and other institutes to clean, reassemble, and generally study fossil finds.

Kids can partner with parents in reading this book. The larger text, which is read to the tune of “Here We Go ‘Round the Mulberry Bush,” is brief and simple enough for a level 1-2 reader. The smaller text, which is more technical detail about what happens in each image, is definitely for older kids and parents. This might be best for a two-read session. One for the large text, and then going back again for the little text. Otherwise, the song might feel disjointed.

The artwork is done in strong, flat shapes, with texture and shading added into them digitally. So a kid’s head will be rather round, but there’s a gradient for shadow to give a little more depth. And while the shapes are simple, each page is fully illustrated, with a lot of small pieces and details. It’s quite nice! I also like that the artist specifies in which region the dig takes place, and includes a lot of the local wildlife. It makes for a little element of seek-and-find, if your kid is into that (mine is…obsessed with that).

A good library pick!

Advanced reader copy provided by the publisher.

[Andrea Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not usually a fan of picture books that are based on songs. The songs are either familiar ones that don't really need illustrations or are kind of hokey. This is an exception. The song is simple, but the added content of the illustrations and extra facts make this a keeper. The illustrations, while cartoony, show the actual things that paleontologists do while they're out in the field AND when they're back at their museums. I don't know if I've ever seen that (even in a easy nonfiction dinosaur book). I like that there are extra facts at the end (I had no idea that T Rex and Stegosaurus didn't live at the same time!) and information about how the illustrations were based on Montana's Hell Creek. The only thing missing is some suggestions for further reading.

[Aubrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a college career counselor, I’ve come to experience how our education system fails to prepare young people to enter their fields of interest. This book, to me, represents what we could use more of early on. Instead of pestering children to commit to a job with the question, “what do you want to be when you grow up?” We should give them more opportunities for them to understand a day in the life of people who do the things that interest them. I appreciate that this book shows some of the different roles in this industry. I understand some reviewers don’t think the text is great for small kids, but at least it’s there when they’re ready and parents can take note and help them research more about those different professions.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging story to sing and act out to the tune of “This is the way” while introducing paleontology to young readers. The illustrations are based on the well-known fossil dig site Hell’s Creek formation in Montana and were created by computer with lots of pixels. Sidebars contain additional information that can be shared when re-reading the story. Lots of extras included at the end of the book along with a challenge to read the book again finding local animals hiding throughout. Extraordinary use of vocabulary words such as sift, scan and excavate. Ideal for non-fiction in storytimes and classrooms.

[Lisa Gisèle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here we go Digging for Dinosaur Bones is quite an fun book.

I'm not sure if it's meant to grow with the child but it really can. For younger children or children with short attention spans you can sing the song and use the movements in the back for added fun. Once the child gets older or can sit longer introduce then informational content.

I did not know about wrapping the fossils in paper before transport, so I have a new tidbit of information to share with others. I like that in a book, especially one with a popular subject matter

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC. I'm being completely honest with my review.

[Ellon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is adorable! The text is set to the tune of “Here we go round the mulberry bush” and even has motions to act out when singing/reading (listed in the back matter). Each page has smaller text that explains a little more about what is happening on that page. The back matter is excellent. I especially liked the page that shows animals that live Montana’s Hell Creek (the setting of the book) and encourages readers to go back and find them in the illustrations throughout the book. Highly recommended!

[Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a super cute book. My son is really into dinosaurs right now and this is the first age/developmentally appropriate book that looks at dinosaurs more from a paleontologist standpoint. He loved singing along and at one point we had to take a break to look at tiny dinosaur figurines through our toy microscope because one of the scientists in the book was using a microscope. In addition to the lyrics, there's informational blurbs on each page. Great kids book!
Thanks to Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Rebecca Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

If your child loves dinosaurs, then they are going to LOVE this book! It is a super cute story on how paleontologists excavate dinosaur bones, where they look, how they transport them, and put the skeleton together.

I absolutely LOVED reading through this book. It was a fun and interactive way to teach kids a bit about a scientific field, while having some fun at the same time. There are fun facts throughout as well, providing even more information on a level that younger readers can understand.

Well done and tops the list of favorite reads for the year!

[Alisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really well-done book that plays out on different levels. The main text is a repetitive "copycat song" to "This is the way we...." that tells about the basic activities involved in fossil hunting. The secondary text provides enrichment details about the activities. Illustrations are of children of varied skin tones performing each task. Good information presented in an appealing format suitable for reading and rereading to individuals or groups as well as for beginning readers to practice on the repetitive, predictive song lyrics.

[Jenni · Rating 3 out of 5]

This simple nonfiction book adapts looking for dinosaur bones to the song of "Here We Go 'Round the Mulberry Bush." Each spread does a verse of the song and includes factual information in a smaller font at the bottom of the spread. The end of the book discusses dinosaurs in more nonfictional detail. This book is a great way to introduce dinosaur hunting to our youngest readers in a simple and fun way, but will not replace our more factual and detailed dinosaur books. If your collection is looking for a way to cater to its youngest readers this would be a great purchase.

[Ronda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wasn't sure about this one at 1st. The song seemed a bit forced at times, but it did serve the purpose of getting my K and 1st graders moving along with the story. Be sure to investigate the movements in the back before you share this and it will give you some ideas. I paired this with a lesson on using PebbleGo and Early World of Learning as well as a search on Epic and my littles were pretty motivated by the topic. After all--dinosaurs.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

With a catchy tune and simple explanations for the process of finding, excavating, studying, and assembling dinosaur fossils, this is a great pick for a dinosaur storytime! The bonus information in the back of the book even gives you motions to go along with each different page of the story. Add in cute illustrations, and you have a winner in my mind!

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are simple, and large, filling the page. The words fit to the tune well, and reading just the song part has a good flow. If you stop to read the information in the corner of each spread it slows you down. Older kids may enjoy this extra, but it adds significantly to the time spent reading.

[Cheyenne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute book in song about digging up dinosaurs. It also includes information on each page for background knowledge. The illustrations are very well done. This book would be best for preschoolers and Kindergartners. The song is catchy and in the back it includes movements the kids can do.

Thank you NetGalley and CharlesBridge for the opportunity to review this book.

[Odessa Poore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is super cute to use int he classroom. Even though it is a picture book that might be more geared towards Early Childhood, there is some great information within the text that will help older readers understand fossils. Also, this book can be used as a sing-along book! Great resource for the classroom.

[Kate M. Colby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack borrowed this book from the Oxford Public Library. I picked it because he likes dinosaurs and songs.

He enjoyed my singing the main parts of the book but was less interested in the facts. I have to say, it did have a pretty thorough overview of paleontology for a board book. The illustrations are cute and Jack liked all the different dinosaurs at the end.

[Dana Storytime Account · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about this book, although I had to remind myself of the tune for here we go round the mulberry bush (childrens librarian fail lol). I hope to be able to use it for in person STEAM story time sometime soon

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for story-time! Meant to be sung to the tune of "Here we go 'round the mulberry bush!". The end of the book includes an illustrated guide for hand motions that are meant to be used as you read-along. Lots of facts are placed throughout the book as well.

[Karen Duvall · Rating 5 out of 5]

My girls loved this book because it was a sing a long! It's a recent favorite from our library visit. The extra info bits through out the book are pretty cool too learn about dinosaurs, fossils, and paleontologists all in one go!

[Elizabeth Mellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Charlesbridge for the ARC of this!

Cute for the littlest learners to get excited about dinosaurs, this helps show the steps that scientists take when finding, excavating, cleaning and studying, and displaying fossils.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

The pictures in this book were kind of cutesy, and using a hackneyed tune was kind of simplifying something that really isn't so simple. It says when parts are missing, scientists figure them out, but they guess. It is a guess. I enjoyed learning that fossils are minerals and not bones.