What do you think?
Rate this book
Dinothesaurus: Prehistoric Poems and Paintings
This book is full of dinosaurs, Both carnivores and herbivores. You’ll find a big Iguanodon, As well as clever Tro-o-don. There’s Spinosaurus and T. rex, Plus plesiosaurs with GIANT necks . . . Step back in time in this fossil-filled collection that explores the prehistoric era with Douglas Florian’s singular wit and style. In twenty funny and factual poems, he brings dinosaurs to life—illuminating the natural history of these amazing creatures as well as their unique and quirky characteristics.
56 pages, Hardcover
First published March 10, 2009
2 people are currently reading
225 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
March 28, 2009
Another great title from Douglas Florian, this book will be an instant hit with dinosaur fanatics (and I've already seen our library copies fly off the shelves). Each spread features a different dinosaur with a painting and a poem. The art includes so many creative details that kids will love to pore over the pages. The poems are humorous and feature the wordplay that Florian does so very well. A treat for those of us who read aloud are pronunciations of each dino's name right there on the page with the poem. Phew!
Loved it. A lot.
Full review on my blog:
http://abbylibrarian.blogspot.com/200...
Loved it. A lot.
Full review on my blog:
http://abbylibrarian.blogspot.com/200...
Read
October 2, 2019Genre: Poetry
Grade Levels: K-2
Themes: Dinosaurs,
Major Award: N/A
Summary- This book goes through many different types of dinosaurs and some facts about them. It starts with an opening poem describing the age of dinosaurs and closes with a poem about the end of dinosaurs. One of the poems is titled “Stegosaurus”. Under the title, there is a more descriptive name that some may choose to call it - a “roof lizard.” This poem discusses the stegosaurus’ diet, body, and brain size.
Personal Response- This poem was so fun and funny. The last two lines actually made me laugh out loud when they said its brain is smaller than a plum and that it is dumb. I loved the rhymes that the author used like stegosaurus and herbivorous. I also really liked the image and how crazy the dinosaur looks if you look at his face.
Other Info- The lines in this poem starts with one tercet and is followed by three couplets that all rhyme. Having the poem broken up into these rhyming sections really helps the poem to flow smoothly when reading aloud. The first two lines could just be written as “Stegosaurous” and “Herbivorous”. However, the author decided he wanted each syllable, especially the third to be stressed, so the wrote it out as “Ste-go-SAUR-us” and “Her-bi-VOR-ous.” This not only tells the reader to stress each syllabus but to stress the third one even more. The flow of those two lines would be much different if the author wrote it out without any dashes. To add some humor to the poem, the author also emphasizes the lst word, dumb, by putting it in all caps and putting the b backward. This also changes the flow by having the reader emphasize the word dumb.
Reader response/Classroom Connection -
1) This poem could be shown to students with the last word of each line of a couplet missing. Because the lines rhyme and the words are fairly predictable, students could be asked to try and come up with a word to fit in the poem. This could help them in learning rhymes and also making sure they are comprehending to the point where they can predict that word.
2) Students could get into groups and each be given a different dinosaur poem. They could then be asked to find some when to represent the poem as they read it to the class. They could choose to act it out, draw a picture or pictures of what is going on, or any other visual representation.
Grade Levels: K-2
Themes: Dinosaurs,
Major Award: N/A
Summary- This book goes through many different types of dinosaurs and some facts about them. It starts with an opening poem describing the age of dinosaurs and closes with a poem about the end of dinosaurs. One of the poems is titled “Stegosaurus”. Under the title, there is a more descriptive name that some may choose to call it - a “roof lizard.” This poem discusses the stegosaurus’ diet, body, and brain size.
Personal Response- This poem was so fun and funny. The last two lines actually made me laugh out loud when they said its brain is smaller than a plum and that it is dumb. I loved the rhymes that the author used like stegosaurus and herbivorous. I also really liked the image and how crazy the dinosaur looks if you look at his face.
Other Info- The lines in this poem starts with one tercet and is followed by three couplets that all rhyme. Having the poem broken up into these rhyming sections really helps the poem to flow smoothly when reading aloud. The first two lines could just be written as “Stegosaurous” and “Herbivorous”. However, the author decided he wanted each syllable, especially the third to be stressed, so the wrote it out as “Ste-go-SAUR-us” and “Her-bi-VOR-ous.” This not only tells the reader to stress each syllabus but to stress the third one even more. The flow of those two lines would be much different if the author wrote it out without any dashes. To add some humor to the poem, the author also emphasizes the lst word, dumb, by putting it in all caps and putting the b backward. This also changes the flow by having the reader emphasize the word dumb.
Reader response/Classroom Connection -
1) This poem could be shown to students with the last word of each line of a couplet missing. Because the lines rhyme and the words are fairly predictable, students could be asked to try and come up with a word to fit in the poem. This could help them in learning rhymes and also making sure they are comprehending to the point where they can predict that word.
2) Students could get into groups and each be given a different dinosaur poem. They could then be asked to find some when to represent the poem as they read it to the class. They could choose to act it out, draw a picture or pictures of what is going on, or any other visual representation.
March 16, 2016
Dinothesaurus – Prehistoric Poems and Paintings
On Booklist Review
Authored and Illustrated by Douglas Florian
Publisher: Beach Lane Book, March 10, 2009
Poetry
Dinothesaurus, as its name implies, is a lively play on words throughout. “Ste-go-SAUR-us/Her-bi-VOR-ous/Dined on plants inside the forest.” Author and Illustrator Douglas Florian takes us on tour through the Age of the Dinosaurs in wittingly poetic detail. While his illustrations are something to be desired being a mixture of finger paintings and crayon drawings with some technology thrown in for good measure, his imagination in rhyme grabs your attention throughout the 43 page hardcover. He even includes a Glossarysaurus, locations of dinosaur museums and fossil sites, and selected bibliography and further reading list. Teachers will enjoy the poems that inform making it a whimsical way to entertainingly teach children about the prehistoric era. Booklist wrote "The gleeful twists of language evident in the title continue throughout each of the selections spotlighting a different species, including the Triceratops (‘Try-scare-a-tops. / Try-wouldn’t-want-to-dare-a-tops’)." Appropriate for Grades K – 2.
On Booklist Review
Authored and Illustrated by Douglas Florian
Publisher: Beach Lane Book, March 10, 2009
Poetry
Dinothesaurus, as its name implies, is a lively play on words throughout. “Ste-go-SAUR-us/Her-bi-VOR-ous/Dined on plants inside the forest.” Author and Illustrator Douglas Florian takes us on tour through the Age of the Dinosaurs in wittingly poetic detail. While his illustrations are something to be desired being a mixture of finger paintings and crayon drawings with some technology thrown in for good measure, his imagination in rhyme grabs your attention throughout the 43 page hardcover. He even includes a Glossarysaurus, locations of dinosaur museums and fossil sites, and selected bibliography and further reading list. Teachers will enjoy the poems that inform making it a whimsical way to entertainingly teach children about the prehistoric era. Booklist wrote "The gleeful twists of language evident in the title continue throughout each of the selections spotlighting a different species, including the Triceratops (‘Try-scare-a-tops. / Try-wouldn’t-want-to-dare-a-tops’)." Appropriate for Grades K – 2.
July 17, 2012
OOPS! How did I get behind on his books? I love his poetry!
I wish I could write poetry that didn't sound like a pathetic teenager.
Here is one short snippet about the Troodon ...
"Said to be brainy.
Said to be bright.
But what did it read?
And what did it write?"
Or here's one that shares some info on the Stegosaurus ...
"Ste-go-SAUR-us
Her-bi-VOR-ous
Dined on plants inside the forest.
Bony plates grew on its back,
Perhaps to guard it from attack."
Must add this to our collection. And quick!
I wish I could write poetry that didn't sound like a pathetic teenager.
Here is one short snippet about the Troodon ...
"Said to be brainy.
Said to be bright.
But what did it read?
And what did it write?"
Or here's one that shares some info on the Stegosaurus ...
"Ste-go-SAUR-us
Her-bi-VOR-ous
Dined on plants inside the forest.
Bony plates grew on its back,
Perhaps to guard it from attack."
Must add this to our collection. And quick!
September 19, 2009
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book of dinosaur-themed poetry. The illustrations are fabulous. The poetry is fun, humorous, and educational in a delightfully sneaky way. This would be a very fun book to read with a young dino-enthusiast. Also great for phonological awareness (because of the rhyming), and vocabulary skills--not only because of the dinosaur names provided, but also because of other words used in the text like "colossal" and "voracious". Excellent book!
October 27, 2017
1. Awards the book has received (if any): Bank Street Best Books of the Year
Bill Martin Jr. Picture Book Award Nominee (KS)
CCBC Choices (Cooperative Children's Book Council)
Great Lakes Great Books Master List (MI)
Kentucky Bluegrass Award Master List
NCTE Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award Nominee
Utah Beehive Award Master List
2. Appropriate grade level(s): 4th-5th
3. Original 3-line summary: The author introduces a number of different dinosaurs in the text and each is described in detail with a poem. The use of the poem makes the reading enjoyable as he uses his humor to write engaging information.
4. Original 3-line review: This book is very interesting as it breaks down the characteristics of each unique dinosaur. The illustrations are excellent in their portrayal of the different types of dinosaur.
5. 2-3 possible in-class uses: This book would be wonderful for a study on different time frames in the world. Students could do an activity where they create their own dinosaur, a dinosaur habitat or make a poster and study one type of dinosaur.
Bill Martin Jr. Picture Book Award Nominee (KS)
CCBC Choices (Cooperative Children's Book Council)
Great Lakes Great Books Master List (MI)
Kentucky Bluegrass Award Master List
NCTE Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award Nominee
Utah Beehive Award Master List
2. Appropriate grade level(s): 4th-5th
3. Original 3-line summary: The author introduces a number of different dinosaurs in the text and each is described in detail with a poem. The use of the poem makes the reading enjoyable as he uses his humor to write engaging information.
4. Original 3-line review: This book is very interesting as it breaks down the characteristics of each unique dinosaur. The illustrations are excellent in their portrayal of the different types of dinosaur.
5. 2-3 possible in-class uses: This book would be wonderful for a study on different time frames in the world. Students could do an activity where they create their own dinosaur, a dinosaur habitat or make a poster and study one type of dinosaur.
March 20, 2019
Dinothesaurus: Prehistoric Poems and Paintings
Awards: Bank Street Best Books of the Year, Kentucky Bluegrass Award
Grade Level: K-5th
Original Summary: A book of 20 poems with illustrations to match about various dinosaurs, that also provide facts about them for learning.
Original Review: A book with 20 poems to entertain dinosaur fans (and those who aren’t dinosaur fans) with pictures and rhyming facts about various dinosaurs. There is also a pronunciation guide for the dinosaur’s names and a meaning behind their names. A nice addition to a classroom library.
Classroom Uses: For a classroom library, a supplement to a dinosaur or science unit, poetry unit.
Awards: Bank Street Best Books of the Year, Kentucky Bluegrass Award
Grade Level: K-5th
Original Summary: A book of 20 poems with illustrations to match about various dinosaurs, that also provide facts about them for learning.
Original Review: A book with 20 poems to entertain dinosaur fans (and those who aren’t dinosaur fans) with pictures and rhyming facts about various dinosaurs. There is also a pronunciation guide for the dinosaur’s names and a meaning behind their names. A nice addition to a classroom library.
Classroom Uses: For a classroom library, a supplement to a dinosaur or science unit, poetry unit.
Read
February 19, 2020*Read for Poetry for Children and Young Adults class*
This is a very silly and fun collection of poems about dinosaurs. The poems either comment on the dinosaurs name, body type, or personality. The illustrations include collage elements which adds dimension and texture to the page. The poems are all very short and the author does a great job of creating twist endings that either make you chuckle or surprised by what he has to say. There are also pronunciations of each of the dinosaur names and more factual information about them in the back of the book.
This is a very silly and fun collection of poems about dinosaurs. The poems either comment on the dinosaurs name, body type, or personality. The illustrations include collage elements which adds dimension and texture to the page. The poems are all very short and the author does a great job of creating twist endings that either make you chuckle or surprised by what he has to say. There are also pronunciations of each of the dinosaur names and more factual information about them in the back of the book.
October 2, 2019
Great way to introduce dinosaurs to the children. My son is in love with dinosaurs and this is one of his favorite book to read now. He has made me read it to him almost every single night since I first brought it home. Looks like I will be starting a giant dinosaur collection as well as book collection.
November 15, 2019
Poetry
3rd-6th grade
I thought this was such a fun book! I really enjoyed the pictures and their uniqueness. I think this is a book that kids would really enjoy. It gives great information about many different dinosaurs! It tells us just a little bit about each one. This book also does a great job of demonstrating poetry. This is a great book that would help introduce or talk about poetry.
3rd-6th grade
I thought this was such a fun book! I really enjoyed the pictures and their uniqueness. I think this is a book that kids would really enjoy. It gives great information about many different dinosaurs! It tells us just a little bit about each one. This book also does a great job of demonstrating poetry. This is a great book that would help introduce or talk about poetry.
February 23, 2021
Genre: Poetry
Grade: 1-5
I really enjoyed this unique book of dinosaur poetry. Douglas Florian was extremely creative while writing these poems and weaving facts into them. I also appreciated the pronunciation guide, glossary, and bibliography that were included. This would be a great book for dinosaur lovers!
Grade: 1-5
I really enjoyed this unique book of dinosaur poetry. Douglas Florian was extremely creative while writing these poems and weaving facts into them. I also appreciated the pronunciation guide, glossary, and bibliography that were included. This would be a great book for dinosaur lovers!
December 2, 2024
Genre: poetry, informational
Grade level: k-2
I know so many children who love dinosaurs, and I thought of them the entire time I read this book. Not only is it factual, but there's pronunciations written under each dinosaur name. That is amazing because not many books do that. Now children can know how to say the dinosaur names while reading poems about them.
Grade level: k-2
I know so many children who love dinosaurs, and I thought of them the entire time I read this book. Not only is it factual, but there's pronunciations written under each dinosaur name. That is amazing because not many books do that. Now children can know how to say the dinosaur names while reading poems about them.
September 20, 2020
I loved reading this poem book. I feel this also doubles up as an informational book as the poems illustrate different features of different types of dinosaurs. This poetry book includes beautiful illustrations that elementary age children will love!! Highly recommend to all the dinosaur lovers!
May 18, 2017
Dinosaurs and poetry is one book? It's perfect. The poems were cute and humorous and the information about dinosaurs were enough for the most serious of students.
June 29, 2017
A book full of funny poems that bring dinosaurs to life. It talks about the history of dinosaurs along with their unique characteristics.
August 10, 2017
This one had some really neat mixed media artwork and some great poems. Learned about dinosaurs I have never heard of. Read for my grad school class of Lit & Resources for Children.
September 14, 2017
6; poetry; I do not recommend this book for a read allowed. Very complicated vocabulary and numerous spelling errors (mainly to go with the theme of the poetry) . It was a headache to read honestly.
December 5, 2017
Reading this book could give students the ability to create imaginative poems about any topic, as well as incorporate learning the history about dinosaurs by viewing fossils.
February 1, 2018
Such a cute book! A short witty poem written about a number of dinosaurs with awesome illustrations.
February 7, 2018
This book gives information about certain dinosaurs in poetry form accompanied by fun pictures. There is also a "glossarysaurus" in the back that gives more information about each dinosaur.
March 28, 2019
3rd-6th grade
Genre: Poetry
This Dino book is a fun way to introduce poetry to any Dino-loving kid. It is chalk full of knowledge about dinosaurs and the illustrations keep it fun and interesting!
Genre: Poetry
This Dino book is a fun way to introduce poetry to any Dino-loving kid. It is chalk full of knowledge about dinosaurs and the illustrations keep it fun and interesting!
June 8, 2019
Poems about specific dinosaurs and dinosaur-related things.
Words include interior capitalization at times to make reading out loud easier.
Words include interior capitalization at times to make reading out loud easier.
August 16, 2019
Wonderful artwork and fun poems about many dinosaurs from the past.
December 2, 2019
poem of facts of dinosaurs
nice illustrations
glossary of facts of dinos
nice illustrations
glossary of facts of dinos
April 26, 2020
dinosaurs, poem, information
Read
April 26, 2020Clever poems about prehistoric animals and their characteristics.
November 30, 2020
Yes, I still love Douglas Florian's poetry even though my kids are teens now. Such fun.
April 6, 2021
Dinosaur poetry is fun.
Read
December 6, 2021Poem, Informational, timeline, time period, facts
April 26, 2022
Explanation to who the dinosaurs are.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews