poem "Barosaurus" and image from DINOTHESAURUS copyright 2009 by Douglas Florian
Tonight at midnight the dinosaurs will hatch for the publication date of DINOTHESAURUS: Prehistoric Poems and Paintings. I'd like to thank my editor Andrea, my designers Ann and Michael, and my pet Iguanodon, Ignatz. Pictured above is Barosaurus, seen in a slightly different locale on the book's jacket (boys don't buy pink). While researching this book I read in a usually reliable Dorling Kindersley book that "Barosaurus weighed more than 8 elephants." That fact helped to start my first line: "I weigh more than eight elephants." Nice alliteration there, but unfortunately it's probably not true. As I discovered in the authoritative Dinosaurs: The Most Complete, Up-to-Date Encyclopedia for Dinosaur Lovers of All Ages by paleontologist Thomas R. Holtz, Jr, the Barosaurus weighed about as much as two elephants. Not too exciting. I did discover an alternate and accurate first line. Here's the poem:
Barosaurus
BAR-oh-SAW-rus (heavy lizard)
I'm higher than five elephants.
I'm longer than most whales.
My giant neck is balanced by
My forty-three foot tail.
A tail that is my weapon.
It swings from side to side.
From nose to tail I'm ninety feet-
Het kid, ya wanna ride?
If I've promosed you the book it will be coming soon. I received my author's copies a few days ago. I'm available for interviews and the book is available at amazon.com. My iguanodon is not available, and I have to go take him for a walk now.
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22 comments:
Let me be the first to congratulate you on a brilliant book.
Kat
Your're a quick Kat! Thanks!!!
I Wanna Ride!
Heavy! Heavy!
Lizard, that is!
Well, I feel very honored, b/c my copy was hand-delivered by the UPS man at the end of last week! This young hatchling has that wonderful new book smell, is loaded with my kind of silliness and so typically wonderful Florian illustrations But! My fave...is Spiny's "underwear of flannel." What fun! Congratulations!
Congrats, Douglas! I preordered two copies: one for my son and one for a giveaway on my blog this week!
Great poem! You must be giddy! My boys are too old now, but I think this will be a wonderful gift from me to some other little ones with dinos on the brains. :)
Thanks Kat, Nanny, raffy, gael, Kelly, and Teresa. Red flannel underwear to come.
Wowsie! Are you handing out cigars? Congrats!
OMG: I saw you popped by my blog and came over to say thanks and took a peek at your profile - I can't believe my Word for Wednesday was going to be entropy - still pondering it...but I might have to work a little harder.
oooo i like it, i like it. Congratulations on the book and i'll happily buy it. :o)
Congrats on the book release! I look forward to dining on this one. :)
melanie: only chocolate cigars.
kim: I was going to bring my entropy but it broke.
loodles: thanks oodles :^)
jama: just be careful the dinos don't dine on you!
thanks to all
Douglas,
I have already received the two copies of DINOTHESAURUS that I ordered quite some time ago. Another great poetry collection from a master of light verse for kids!
I'm planning to give one of the books away as a prize at Wild Rose Reader during National Poetry Month
thanks for your support, Elaine!
Congratulations!!! Very exciting. Looks like a book my son will absolutely love!
Ooh, what's the dinosaur's yummiest treat? For us little humans, this book will be delicious and fun to read as well! Congratulations and thanks for sharing so much of it ahead of time - it makes the anticipation even sweeter.
Yay--congratulations, Douglas! And, yes, I DO wanna ride. I saw this in Beach Lane Books' brochure at an event a couple of weeks ago, by the way. Not sure I realized that's who it was with until then. Can't wait to read the whole thing. These sneak peeks have been tantalizing!
CONGRATULATIONS on the great review in the New York Times Book Review, Mr. Florian! I'll paste the link in here, but I'm not sure the formatting will stick. Well, I'll try a tiny URL and people can cut & paste. Hope that works:
http://tinyurl.com/bbktrg
P.S. "Misleading" underwear - now that is an accomplishment!
Congrats on your starred book launch!*!*!*
I preordered months ago and am excited to read, relish and rejoice in your wondrous words and pictures.
Love your Barosaurus poem and pic and I can't wait to take the DINOTHESAURUS ride:)
Thanks to Kelly H-Y, Mary Ann, Laura, and especially Julie and Jill for tipping me off to the Times review. A nice surprise!
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