One-osaurus, Two-osaurus

by Kim Norman, Pierre Collet-Derby (Illustrator)

Part counting game, part dinosaur celebration, this energetic romp is a numbers concept book for the ages.

One-osaurus, two-osaurus, three-osaurus, four!

Look there, in a child’s bedroom, where some prehistoric pals are gathered in a counting game. Nine dinosaurs are playing a sing-song rendition of hide-and-seek—but something isn’t adding up. Where is number ten? Stomp, stomp, stomp! CHOMP, CHOMP, CHOMP! Ready or not, here he comes, and he sounds . . . big! With big, bold numerals, an array of dinosaurs in comical poses, and a humorous twist at the end, this tribute to a child’s imagination makes learning numbers a gigantic treat.

Genres: Picture Books, Dinosaurs, Storytime, Counting, Childrens, Humor, Number

32 pages, Hardcover

Published March 23, 2021

About the author

Kim Norman is the author of more than a dozen children’s books published by Sterling, Scholastic and two Penguin imprints. Titles include Ten on the Sled, (Sterling) which spent weeks on Barnes and Noble’s Top Ten bestseller list and has been released in Korean and German editions as well as appearing in Scholastic Book Fairs in schools around North America. I Know a Wee Piggy, was reviewed in the New York Times, and is listed on the Texas “2x2 Reading List,” as well being offered by Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

Kim has a long history of theater & musical performing, which she enjoys including in her school visits and presentations. Songs and videos on her website, kimnormanbooks.com

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learn to count with dinosaurs - love the art! I would have loved books like this when I was learning to count. I was really 'dino focused' when I was a small boy; I thought that I really wanted to be a paleontologist when I grew up (but math got in the way). This is what I like to call a 'repeat read' because it will be a favorite for some time.

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Join in a dino-riffic game of hide-and-seek that features a cute, and sassy ending.

Loads of fun for kids and their parents.

With bold illustrations by Pierre Collet-Derby.

[Kailey (Luminous Libro) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some little dinosaurs decide to play a counting game of hide and seek. The dinos all sneak quietly through the pages to find a place to hide, but dino number 10 is stomping onto the scene with a roar!

The adorableness is strong with this one. I loved the cute storyline, and the sweet little dinosaur characters. The story is fun with plenty of action and engaging rhythms in the narration.

The rhyming text is absolute perfection! It gives such a nice flowing cadence to the story. And I am very picky about rhyming children's books, so you know it's really really good if I am pleased with it.

The illustrations are excellent! The bright colors are attractive, and you can really feel the action as the dinosaurs run to hide. Each dino has a unique design and some little extra thing that makes them special. They might have glasses, or a bow tie, or a scarf around their neck. One dino even has a scooter!

This is such a cute book and very fun to read out loud. I can't wait to share this with my little nephew who is obsessed with dinosaurs!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

[Geena Hollis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The flow of this book is beautiful. I don't know if it will happen to you, but for me, I naturally read it with a rhythm and beat in my head.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the funniest rhyming counting story that every young child will want to memorize and read right along with those reading aloud. It may take repeats, and actually, I bet the adult reading will want to memorize it, too. It's a hide 'n seek game, too. Pierre Collet-Derby uses clever comic-style illustrations to show off the dino for each number. They show off and they hide. But where is number ten? I loved this book, now need to read it aloud TO someone!

Thanks to Candlewick Press for this copy!

[Andréa · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Binxie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute and colorful this counting book has dinosaurs playing hide and seek. This will work well in a group setting for 2+.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A silly counting book for the dino-lover in your life! Kim Norman's rhymes are always on point. A great read-aloud for toddler storytimes or bedtimes.

[Abby Johnson]

Cute and funny with bouncy, rhythmic rhymes and bright colors. This is a must-read for your young dino fans and destined to be a hit at storytime.

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! I think this is the most fun counting book I've seen? Very good rhymes, very dynamic art.

[Darcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

fun bouncy rhymes, dinosaurs, counting, games, what's not to love? it will likely be a hit with young kids and storytime.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An instant story time essential. Impeccably crafted and lively dinosaur counting books make librarian hearts overflow with delight. Highly, highly recommended for ages 1-4.

[Sarah Verno · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 The playful illustrations are delightful.

[Tin Cheung · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute and fun counting book with dinosaurs

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some dinosaurs start their morning with a counting game. “One-osaurus, two-osaurus, three-osaurus, four.” After counting to seven, a huge ROAR interrupts the counting. The dinosaurs gather together in a herd and then make a run for it, knowing that something big is heading their way. Soon they are all hiding behind their numbers, letting us count them one more time: one through nine. Where is ten? He’s coming now, he’s “ten-osaurus rex.” But he may not be what the readers expect when he is revealed and the book takes a great twist in the end too.

Norman’s simple writing begs to be shared aloud. This counting book really works well, the numbers on the page playing into the rhyming text and building with it. The pace is wild and romping, something that makes the counting all the more fun. Thanks to its clever structure, young readers get to merrily count the dinosaurs again and again in the book without it feeling at all repetitious. The humor is a large part of the success of the book too.

That same humor is reflected in the illustrations which are big and bold, adding to the read-aloud appeal. The various dinosaurs are bright colored and pop against the changing colors of the background. Having them hide behind their big black numbers adds to the counting fun, including a page where the numbers aren’t in order and young children can find the numbers in a new way.

Smart, funny and full of dinosaurs. You can count on this one being popular. Appropriate for ages 2-4.

[Kristin Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great good for story time or read aloud

[Hannah Wilbiks · Rating 5 out of 5]

From first glance, this wouldn’t usually be the kind of book I pick out but oh how wrong I would have been! The bright, quirky illustrations match perfectly with the rhyme and fun familiar one-potato rhyme from my own childhood! The whole book was hilarious and had all of us giggling at the hiding places and the brilliant ending.

So perfect for little ones learning to count or anyone looking for an entertaining quick fun read!

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

As far as counting books go, you can never go wrong with one full of dinosaurs! these colorful, prehistoric pals are having a great time counting until they need to hide from the ferocious TEN-OSAURUS REX! Luckily, his intimidating shadow doesn't reflect his bubbly personality! Simplistic, vibrant, and fun, this is a great counting book to add to any child's collection.

[Halli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is perfect for preschool storytime. I always feel like I read the same dinosaur books over and over, and was very excited to find a new one! The kids loved it-the counting, the suspense, the illustrations, the subtle humor.

[Amy]

This is the most delightful picture book, especially for babies/toddlers/preschoolers. It has counting, dinosaurs, hide-n-seek, and a great read-aloud rhythm. I can't WAIT to use it in a story time. Kim Norman is such a fun author!

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lively, rhyming counting game celebrating dinosaurs.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bright illustrations, a sing-songy rhythm, and popular topic! Doesn't get much better than that. All the dinosaur count and play in a game of hide and seek.

[Melissa the Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this book! It's perfect for storytime with lots of sound effects, counting together, and roaring.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Appeal Factors: counting; storytime potential; interactive

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun for a counting or dinosaur storytime or lapsit.

[Children's Literature Centre at FSU · Rating 5 out of 5]

A excellent book to use in a kindergarten classroom about counting

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun rhyming text AND dinosaurs. Perfect for story time.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh yes, this book is destined to become a read-aloud classic.