Book review: Dinosaur Dump by Tim Miller and Matt Stanton
I don’t have kids so usually steer clear of reviewing children’s books. However… when I was offered the opportunity review Dinosaur Dump I couldn’t say no as I immediately thought of my favourite (just turned) 4yr old, Pickle, as it features two of his favourite things: dinosaurs and poo.
It’s billed as…
An ex-STINK-tion story that will bowel you over!
Regular readers may recall Pickle is the son of my closest friend here on the Fraser Coast. He’s a delight and the cutest thing EVER.
I had this great plan to hand Dinosaur Dump over to Pickle and his mother to read and then later interview Pickle. I envisaged our discussion would involve some in-depth analysis about man’s inhumanity to man and the existential crisis which confronts us as we consider our own mortality. Typical 4yr old stuff.
However… when I took the book to a recent lunch he wanted me to read it again and again. So his mum captured the second and third readings for your viewing pleasure. I’ve obviously edited a bit out as I didn’t think the authors would want me sharing the entire book with my readers, but you get the idea!
It’s very short – just 2mins 30 seconds and I should also mention this is my first attempt at editing a video so I want to apologise in advance! 😉
I suspect you thought I was joking when I said this book was about poo. It really really is. And it’s kinda gross. But kids—especially boys who seem obsessed by that stuff—will love it.
I’ve never reviewed a kid’s book before and assume it’s pointless to talk about plot and pacing. The language is pretty simple though includes some Aussie colloquialisms, like “let it rip”. And I had to explain a few phrases to Pickle….which is probably a good thing – like queue, riot and grossness. His just-turned-4yr old little mind ‘got’ it though and completely understood when I explained dinosaurs weren’t really extinct because they drowned in their own poo. Although….
Pickle and his mother also took this book to his daycare where a teacher read it to the kids. She posted a pic later saying,
Thank you to Pickle and his mum for bringing this very funny story in for us to enjoy. It was a great start to our day with fits of laughter setting the mood for the rest of the day. I explained to them that when they laugh, that feeling they get is happiness.
Awwww…
Dinosaur Dump by Tim Miller and Matt Stanton is published in Australia by Harper Collins and ABC Books and now available.
I (Pickle) received a copy of this book from the publishers for review purposes. (Ages 3+)
Does this sort of book appeal to the kids or grandkids in your life?
Is the fascination re bodily functions more of a boy thing?
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Katherine @ I Wish I Lived in a Library
September 29, 2015I’m dying here! The book is hilarious and Pickle is just too cute. I’ll definitely have to track this down as I suspect it will become an instant favorite with my 5 year old. I don’t know what it is with boys and poo but it’s definitely a favorite! Fantastic review! I love that you included a video.
Debbish
September 29, 2015Thanks Katherine. I really did envisage ‘interviewing’ Pickle (and he’s got another book we talked about reviewing) but I realise it would be difficult! 🙂
This probably worked out well.
Jess
September 29, 2015Loved the video! My kids would love this! I wish I could say the poo obsession was a boy thing. But my girls find nothing funnier than to giggle about poo! The twins most proud of themselves reading moment was learning to read the word poo!
Debbish
September 29, 2015Oh, that’s very cute Jess.
always josefa (@always_josefa)
September 29, 2015That is simply gorgeous! All kids love books about poo – it is always a winner. My boys have a book called Poo-Bum and ask for it all the time and end up in fits of laughter all the time!
Debbish
September 29, 2015I can’t remember being poo-obsessed as a youngster but guess it’s probably not something one wants to remember really. My only previous relationship with kids was when my niece was little and she was a bit shy about the topic if anything.
Stormi D Johnson
September 29, 2015Such a fun book for kids, they all like talking about poo….lol. The pictures looked like they were very colorful and fun.
Debbish
September 29, 2015Ah yes Stormi, the pictures are great! And the book is very colourful.
Amy @ HandbagMafia
September 29, 2015I love how there are books like this now- books that aren’t afraid to be silly and gross to entice in young readers who have that sense of humour. My 3 year old girl thinks poo and farts etc are hilarious- this is what gets them in young- before you know it they’ll be reading Andy Griffiths!
Debbish
September 29, 2015True.
Pickle loved the idea of the fart monster (created by the same authors) so I might need to think about those for his Christmas present!
Leanne
September 29, 2015Two of my grand children’s favourite topics, in one book. DINOSAURS and POO. They will love this book.
Debbish
September 29, 2015I know… what is it about the combo?! Once we finished I made sure Pickle didn’t really think dinosaurs were extinct because they drowned in poo… though of course who knows?!
Stephanie
September 29, 2015Anything with poo in the title amuses my 5 year old and the kids at his daycare. Will have to check out dinosaur dump!
Debbish
September 29, 2015I loved it when my friend shared the daycare teacher’s post on the book – so great it appeals to kids more broadly!
Kathryn
September 29, 2015Wonderful, loved it. Pickle certainly has shown how much he enjoys this. So sorry I passed it by at the airport store. Will have to look for it in local store. Awesome work on the video.
Debbish
September 29, 2015I hope you find it Kathryn. It’s very…. ummm… to the point! 🙂
Kylie Purtell - A Study in Contradictions
September 29, 2015Oh I HAVE to get this book for Punky! She loves Dinosaurs and poo and farts are the funniest thing in the world right now! We have a book called Dinosaurs Love Underpants that suggests Dinos went extinct because they all fought to the death to get their hands on a pair of undies! Punky loves it so I know this will be a hit too! I’s definitely going on the Christmas list!
Debbish
September 29, 2015Great to hear Kylie. You would have heard in my video that Pickle has decided he will have all three of the previous books by the authors… 🙂
Michelle Weaver (@pinkypoinker)
September 29, 2015What an excellent, original way to review a children’s book Deb! Pickle’s miming of wiping his bottom CRACKED me up! So cute. The books all sound very ap(pee)ling to the grade one/two/prep age group. I must tell our school librarian!
Debbish
September 29, 2015I love the blunt way he explains that the rumble wasn’t Harry’s belly it was his ‘bum’.
Pickle’s mum filmed us as I read it through twice in a row (as demanded by Pickle, though he was supposed to be going home for a sleep!). There’s a scene when someone retches and Pickly happily mimicked that for a while. Also later talked about someone getting poo on their hands and in their mouth and pants! Perhaps I’ll share some outtakes down the track! 😉
J.Gi Federizo
September 29, 2015Well, admittedly, it’s the dinosaurs and my curiosity about the poo that made me visit here, he he.
Debbish
September 29, 2015Ahhh yes, they’re definitely drawcards! 🙂
Malinda (@MBPaperPackages)
September 29, 2015Seriously – kids and poo or fart jokes and they are in fits of giggles.
Debbish
September 29, 2015Ah yes…. those were the days—when happiness and joy came so easily!
Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life
September 29, 2015Yes, the toilet humour is a boy thing I reckon. I’ve read Captain Underpants with some of my clients and the boys love it a whole lot more than the girls! Cute review 🙂
Debbish
September 29, 2015Thanks Sanch!
middleagedmama1
September 29, 2015Kids (of all ages) love toilet humour don’t they?! I remember when I worked in a library, the Captain Underpants books, and The Day My Bum Went Psycho, were extremely popular (though aimed at slightly older kids). Love how Pickle gets right into it!
Visiting today from #teamIBOT.
Debbish
September 29, 2015Thanks Janet.
JodiGibson (@JFGibsonWriter)
September 29, 2015Aw Pickle is the best! Kids just love this sort of stuff don’t they? And good job on the editing too.
Debbish
September 30, 2015Pickle is indeed very cute. I wrote a post ages ago about how expressive his little face is. (The post was about self-talk and imagining we talk to a younger person in our lives in the way we talk to ourselves!)
ann
September 30, 2015After spending the whole of term 3 learning about dinosaurs we are now all experts in all things dinosaur! This sounds like the perfect book for my year 1 kid who only enjoys reading about things like poo!
Debbish
September 30, 2015Oh absolutely Ann.
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me
October 1, 2015Ha ha – poor T Rex couldn’t wipe his bottom – CLASSIC! I love his comments throughout the video! SO MUCH FUN!. xx
Debbish
October 1, 2015Very much so Em.
Teddyree
October 1, 2015OMG that was the best Deb, love the book and Pickle is so cute, his comments cracked me up! My boys would have loved this, actually I think they still would and I can see my eldest reading it to Mia and amusing himself no end. Sold me, I have to have it 😀
Debbish
October 1, 2015Oh yes, a present for both of them Teddyree!
Karin @ Calm to Conniption
October 2, 2015Gotta love a book about poo! Hilarious. Pickle is too cute.
Debbish
October 2, 2015Oh yes Karin… Pickle is EXCEEDINGLY cute! 🙂
Grace @ Rebel Mommy Book Blog
October 4, 2015Oh my that video is so cute!! I have an almost 4 year old so I could relate and think this book would be a big hit!
Debbish
October 4, 2015It’s a very cute age Grace!
Trish @ Between My Lines
October 4, 2015Hillarious!
Debbish
October 4, 2015🙂