Counting book proves learning to count can be fun

One-osaurus, Two-osaurus

Written by Kim Norman and illustrated by Pierre Collet-Derby

Candlewick Press, 2021

“One-osaurus, Two-osaurus” is a counting book that proves learning to count can be fun.

Told in rhyme, the story almost sings a story about dinosaurs playing.

“One-osaurus, two-osaurus, three-osaurus, four…

“Five-osaurus, six-osaurus, seven-osaurus …

“Roar!”

The dinosaurs are counted as they gather, stampede and hide.

“Everybody quiet now. Tuck your tails and necks.

Closer, closer …”

The surprise comes after all the dinosaurs hide behind their numbers. The biggest dinosaur appears.

“It’s ten-osaurus rex!”

He chomps, stomps, sniffles and snuffles.  The reader Is nervous now, but it turns out that ten-osaurus is the “king of hide-and-seek.” He finds all the dinosaurs.

Then it’s time to play another game – Simon Says-osaur.

Pierre Collet-Derby’s colorful digital illustrations help tell the story. He shows the smiling dinosaurs become fearful as they run and hide.

When he first appears, ten-osaurus rex looks scary and foreboding in shadow with sharp teeth.

But the dinosaurs are smiling again after they’re found and think about the next game they’ll play.

About the Author

Kim Norman is an artist, actress, and singer as well as the author of many children’s books, including “Give Me Back my Bones!,” “Puddle Pug” and “The Bot that Scott Built.” She visits schools around the country sharing her love of books. She lives in Virginia, but you can visit her at kimnormanbooks.com.

About the Illustrator

Pierre Collet-Derby is an author and illustrator of many children’s books. He worked for many years in the animation and video game industries before devoting his days to drawing, writing and strumming his ukulele. Born and raised in France, where he studied animation, Pierre Collet-Derby now lives in Canada. You can visit him at pierrecolletderby.com.