Dinosaur Countdown

by Nicholas Oldland

Count down from ten striding velociraptors to a ferociously funny end in this counting book for dinosaur lovers of all ages!

Genres: Picture Books, Dinosaurs, Counting, Childrens, Mathematics, Canada, Animals

24 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2012

About the author

Nicholas Oldland earned a degree in Fine Arts at Mount Allison University in New Brunswick, Canada and enjoyed success as a commercial artist and filmmaker before taking up the role of Creative Director at Hatley, a popular apparel company.

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

A 'backward' count to 10 book - and when you get to zero - that equals extinction! Very clever book that is sure to appeal to young dino fans! I can see this book being a 'repeat read' for a long time; it can also be a really nice 'hand me down' book for younger siblings when reading skills improve. Fun book with sharp art!

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked how straight-forward this book was. It wasn't busy, filled with unnecessary things or words, it stated the facts and that was it. This book counts down from ten to one and then on the final page, the author reminds us that, yes dinosaurs are extinct.

Each number is given a two-page spread and on those two pages you get a specific dinosaur, the number (1-10) and you get the number written our in words and you an adjective for that dinosaur . So, for 9: it reads 9 nine lazing deinosuchus and includes 9 of them on the page in their various shades of color. What? I don't know what a deinosuchus is? But, I bet a few children do. There were included in this book, dinosaurs that I knew too. Now, I like dinosaurs but some of these dinosaurs have names that I haven't heard before. At the back of the book, the author has included how to pronounce some of the dinosaur names, which does help.

It was an okay book but I think the pronunciations would have helped me more, if they were on the page with the dinosaur. I also didn't care for the illustrations as they didn't match the language of the book. I did like the added adjectives in the book and again, the simplicity of the book , I enjoyed. 3.5 stars

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Canadian children's author and artist Nicholas Oldland, whose series of picture-books about a group of woodland friends - Big Bear Hug , Making the Moose Out of Life , The Busy Beaver - are a hilarious triumph, turns in this latest venture to the field of paleontology, and to the world of counting books. Beginning with the number ten and counting down, the book presents a number of different dinosaur types - ten striding velociraptors, nine lazing deinosuchus, etc. - on each two-page spread. The book concludes with zero, and a little lesson about dinosaurs being extinct.

Having greatly enjoyed Oldland's first three books, I was quite excited to discover that he had a fourth in the offing, and having waited eagerly for my library system to obtain it, checked it out as soon as possible. Truthfully, and perhaps unfairly, I was a bit disappointed. I think I was expecting something a little more akin to the other books, in the way of offbeat humor, even though I went in knowing that it wasn't a storybook. That said, there is absolutely nothing wrong with Dinosaur Countdown: it is an engaging enough counting book, focusing on a theme that many young children will find appealing, and featuring artwork this is quite fun. I enjoyed the different decorative designs - stripes, polka-dots - used for the different dinosaurs. Recommended to young dinosaur lovers in the market for counting books, and to fans of Oldland's artwork.

[Tracy Schillemore · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great book if you want to teach the children real dinosaur words. These dinosaur words are very hard to read however. I could pronounce most of them but when I hit parasaurolophus I found that it didn't exactly roll off the tongue. It takes too much brainpower to come up with that pronounciation on the fly.

[createitlibrarian (Amanda)]

It was okay. It felt a little clunky.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good counting book for boys because of the dinosaur theme.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Counting backwards 10 to zero--because dinosaurs are extinct.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this was a great countdown book!

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Piwi Mama · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Piwi’s are pretty big on dinosaurs thanks to Dinosaur train and several visits to see the amazing Paleontology Hall at Houston’sMuseum of Nature and Science. When I was offered the chance to review Dinosaur countdown, by Nicholas Oldman, we were pretty excited. I read through it first and was impressed; it includes some of the less well known dinosaurs as well as the favorites like T-rex. The dinosaurs are painted in bright fall themed colors which look good against the white background. Mini Piwi is 3 and really into counting books and Dinos so I thought she would want to read it over and over. Unfortunately she just wasn’t that into it. Big sis, 7 (who isn’t really the target audience) liked that she learnt a few new Dinosaurs and liked the illustrations. I can imagine there will be many Pre-K dino fans out there that will love this book, I would have picked it up as a gift for my nephew if he was still that age (he probably wouldn’t appreciate it now that he is 12).

this review originally posted on my blog

I was sent Dinosaur countdown in exchange for an honest review. to be submitted to Kids can press via Netgalley.com. I will not receive any monetary compensation from the publisher or Netgalley.

[Alisha Funkhouser · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oldland, N., & Ghione, Y. (2012). Dinosaur Countdown. Toronto: Kids Can Press.

Booklist Review

Counting Book

This book was okay. It basically counts down from 10 to 0, ending with there are no dinosaurs because they are extinct. Each number is followed by that many of a type of dinosaur. What I was not really impressed with was that there were a couple of times that it only mentioned herbivores or carnivores instead of sticking with the type of dinosaur like tyrannosaurus. I felt like they should have all been a type of dinosaur. However, it could be used as a segue to discuss some of the vocabulary being used like herbivore or carnivore if you were to do a lesson on dinosaurs, but I choose it for a counting book. I think I might use it for a younger grade like Kindergarten if I was discussing counting backwards, plus I think boys would love it. The illustrations were simple greens and browns which I didn't love either. I feel like there could have been more color with dinosaurs being such an amazing animal of the past. Overall, I just did not connect with this book.

[Asho · Rating 3 out of 5]

My toddler grabbed this off the shelf at the library and threw it in our bag of books to take home. I think he finds the bold and rather maniacal-looking dinosaur pictures appealing, and I don't blame him. They are pretty funny to look at. This book would be best for a true dino enthusiast, as there are some pretty specific dinosaurs featured in the book. What happened to the basic brontosaurus and tyrannosaurus rex of my youth? The only dinosaurs I actually recognized from this book were the pterodactyls, the velociraptors, and the stegosaurus. Clearly, kids are getting smarter about paleontology!

[Jennifer Heise · Rating 4 out of 5]

The bright, rounded illustrations and the popular subject matter makes this entry in the genre of counting-in-reverse picture books sure to please. Even my eight year old was amused by it, though he's neither a dinosaur fan or the target age group. Warning, though: most dinosaurs are referred to by scientific name, and no pronunciation guides are provided on the page, so a read-thru and/or a familiarity with at least a few seasons of Dinosaur Train are suggested ahead of reading aloud. On the other hand, young dinosaur fans may enjoy offering help to their grown-ups. (Probably best for 3-5 year olds.)

[Miss Pippi the Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic dinosaur counting book that counts down from 10 to zero. Not many counting books include the number zero. The addendum does offer dinosaur name pronunciations, which are helpful. I would have preferred the pronunciations on the pertaining page. Don't let dino names stop you from sharing this fantastic book. If you stumble over the names, try it again or seek out a young dinosaur expert.

Theme: Dinosaurs

Reviewed from a library copy.

[Stacie Wyatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Dinosaur Countdown by Nicolas Oldland, in exchange for review from Netgalley.com. The book was published by Kids Can Press. The book taught kids how to count backwards from 10 to 1, using dinosaurs as visuals. The book as a simple format/layout. White background with dinosaurs in the foreground. Love this book. read it to my boys.

[else fine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Appealingly maniacal dinosaurs count themselves down, culminating in a creepy, skeletal zero. Teaches a valuable skill while at the same time planting the seeds of doubt about the fragility of life on earth. WELL DONE.

[Cassie]

Really great counting book. Would be great for boys or for anyone that enjoys different types of dinosaurs. The names of the dinosaurs are a wee bit tricky, but there's a handy pronunciation guide at the back of the book. I would suggest looking over that before reading to any children.

[Cris · Rating 1 out of 5]

There just wasn't anything charming or engaging about this book. The art wasn't great and even my kid who loves dinosaurs and counting lost interest about halfway through and never picked it up again.

[Michelle's Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice job! I enjoyed reading about the dinosaurs and their names.

I was given an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. This book cover is on my Pinterest board and my blog, Michelle Dragalin’s Journey.

[Nanci Booher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up simply because it was shelved right next to another book I picked up. I liked the illustrations, but for kids this will be hard to read--with all those dinosaur names. Nothing to hate, nothing to write home about the book just fell a little flat for me.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a good title to share with babies or toddlers. The dinosaurs in the illustrations are not too scary.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice and simple; would be good for storytime

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Marc Teague's dinosaur illustrations much better.

[Stacy Ford · Rating 4 out of 5]

A countdown using dinosaurs. Neat pictures. An addendum gives pronunciation of Dino names. Dinosaur lovers will love this book!

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like dinosaurs and I like counting, but this one was only so-so for me.

[Jodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple counting story that counts down. Younger readers will enjoy.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely dinosaur counting book, perfect for dinosaur lovers of all ages. Could really see boys getting into this book. Loved the ending!

[Ingrid · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just what is claims to be--a dinosaur counting book. Simple, clear illustrations. A good choice for the very young dinosaur enthusiast.

[Michelle (FabBookReviews) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short, fun, and educational countdown book. Dinosaur fans in particular really enjoyed it when I read it aloud during a storytime!

[Brindi Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wouldn't use this for story time, only because dinos' names are hard to say (but I like the pronunciation key in the back) and there's not much going on in the book. but cute ending.