Dinosaur Train is an animated television series aimed at preschoolers ages 3 to 6 and created by Craig Bartlett, who also created Nickelodeon's Hey Arnold!.[2] The series features a Tyrannosaurus rex named Buddy who, together with the rest of his family, who are all Pteranodons, takes the Dinosaur Train to explore his time period, and have adventures with a variety of dinosaurs. It is co-produced by The Jim Henson Company in association with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (formerly the Media Development Authority), Sparky Animation, FableVision, Snee-Oosh, Inc., Reel FX, and Sea to Sky Entertainment. As of September 2018,[update] PBS Kids had ordered 11 more episodes, taking the total number of episodes to 100.[3][4][5] A film based on the series from Universal Pictures and Universal 1440 Entertainment titled, Dinosaur Train: Adventure Island premiered on April 12, 2021.[6]
Dinosaur Train | |
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Also known as | Jim Henson's Dinosaur Train |
Genre | Educational |
Created by | Craig Bartlett |
Directed by | Craig Bartlett Terry Izumi |
Presented by | Dr. Scott D. Sampson |
Voices of | Phillip Corlett Claire Corlett Erika-Shaye Gair Alexander Matthew Marr Ian James Corlett Natasha Calis Colin Murdock Ellen Kennedy Sean Thomas Laura Marr |
Opening theme | "Dinosaur Train" |
Ending theme | "Dinosaur Train" |
Composers | Jim Lang Mike Himelstein Michael Silversher |
Country of origin | |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 5 |
No. of episodes | 100 (+1 direct-to-TV movie)[1] (list of episodes) |
Production | |
Executive producers | Craig Bartlett Brian Henson Lisa Henson Halle Stanford |
Producer | Sue Bea Montgomery |
Running time | 28 minutes |
Production companies | Infocomm Media Development Authority Sparky Animation The Jim Henson Company FableVision Snee-Oosh, Inc. (uncredited) Tail Waggin' Productions |
Original release | |
Network | |
Release | September 7, 2009 April 12, 2021 | –
Overview
editThe show is set in a whimsical prehistoric world of jungles, swamps, active volcanoes and oceans, all filled with dinosaur and other prehistoric animal life, and connected by a train line known eponymously as the Dinosaur Train. This steam-engine train can be customized for dinosaurs of all kinds: windows accommodate long-necked sauropods, there is headroom in the Observation Car for the larger theropods, and the Aquacar is an aquarium for sea-going passengers. The train itself is run by Troodons, being one of the smartest dinosaurs in this fictional universe. The Dinosaur Train circles the whole world, crossing oceans and inland seas, with stops to visit undersea prehistoric animals. It can travel through the entire Mesozoic Era, the "Age of Dinosaurs", passing through magical Time Tunnels to the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous time periods.[citation needed]
The world of Dinosaur Train is seen through the eyes of Buddy the Tyrannosaurus. According to the show's main title song, Buddy was adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Pteranodon. He hatched at the same time as his Pteranodon siblings Tiny, Shiny, and Don.[7] By traveling in the Dinosaur Train around the Mesozoic, supplied with all dinosaur facts by the train's Troodon Conductor,[3] Buddy learns that he is a Tyrannosaurus. As an adopted child in a mixed-species family, Buddy is curious about the differences between species and vows to learn about all the dinosaurs he can by riding the Dinosaur Train. The dinosaur species featured in the show are actual dinosaurs discovered by paleontologists.
Dinosaur Train is co-produced and animated by Sparky Animation Studios in Singapore,[3] with casting by Vidaspark and voice-overs recorded at Kozmic Sound in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.[citation needed] It premiered on Labor Day 2009[8][9] and airs daily on PBS Kids, and in various countries around the world.[3] 40 half-hour episodes were ordered by PBS Kids for the 1st season. After that 49 additional episodes were made.[citation needed] Each episode is followed by a live-action segment featuring Dinosaur Train educational consultant and paleontologist Dr. Scott D. Sampson, who appears onscreen to explain the show's dinosaur curriculum in greater detail.[7]
Episodes
editSeason | Episodes | Original airdates | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
First aired | Last aired | |||
1 | 40 | September 7, 2009 | May 6, 2011 | |
2 | 26 | August 22, 2011 | February 22, 2013 | |
3 | 13 | January 20, 2014 | June 15, 2015 | |
4 | 10 | December 7, 2015 | February 20, 2017 | |
5 | 11 | August 26, 2019 | June 15, 2020 | |
Movie | 1 | April 12, 2021 | April 12, 2021 |
Voice cast
editMain cast
edit- Phillip Corlett as Buddy Pteranodon (seasons 1–2)
- Sean Thomas as Buddy Pteranodon (season 3)
- Dayton Wall as Buddy Pteranodon (season 4)
- Chance Hurstfield as Buddy Pteranodon (season 5)
- Claire Corlett as Tiny Pteranodon, Polly Polycotylus
- Erika-Shaye Gair as Shiny Pteranodon, Annie Tyrannosaurus, Cory Corythosaurus
- Alexander Matthew Marr as Don Pteranodon, Tank Triceratops (seasons 1–2)
- Laura Marr as Don Pteranodon, Tank Triceratops (seasons 3–5), Quincy Quetzalcoatlus
- Ian James Corlett as Mr. Conductor Troodon, Adam Adocus, Alan Alamosaurus, Elliott Enantiornithine (in "Now with Feathers!"), Morris Stegosaurus, Mr. Argentinosaurus, Mr. Daspletosaurus, Mr. Elasmosaurus, Quentin Qianzhousaurus, Stuart Stygimoloch, Travis Troodon, Triceratops, Troodon Official, Vincent Velociraptor, Teddy Pterodaustro, Frankie Fruitafossor, Troodon Waiter
Additional voices
edit- Mark Acheson as Marvin Mosasaurus
- Michael Adamthwaite as Jess Hesperornis, Reggie Raptorex
- Ashleigh Ball as Arnie Argentinosaurus, Crystal Cryolophosaurus, Gilbert Troodon, Lorraine Lambeosaurus, Maiasaura Mom, Millie Maiasaura, Mrs. Therizinosaurus, Oren Ornithomimus, Reba Rhabdodon, Gwendolyn Glyptops
- William Ainscough as Dennis Deinocheirus
- Ellen Kennedy as Mrs. Pteranodon, Mrs. Einiosaurus, Mrs. Elasmosaurus, Grandma Pteranodon
- Colin Murdock as Mr. Pteranodon, Announcer, Elliott Enantiornithine, Hank Ankylosaurus, Ralph Einiosaurus, Station Master, Stuart Styracosaurus, Ziggy Zhejiangopterus, Carson Carcharodontosaurus (Chef C), Grandpa Pteranodon, Gary Goniopholis
- Kathleen Barr as Angela Avisaurus (in "T. Rex Migration"), Dolores Tyrannosaurus, Erma Eoraptor, Fanny Fabrosaurus, Jacqueline Jaxartosaurus, Laura Giganotosaurus, Mrs. Corythosaurus, Mrs. Ornithomimus, Ned Brachiosaurus, Ollie Ornithomimus, Pauline Proganochelys, Peggy Peteinosaurus, Trudy Triceratops, Tuck Triceratops, Velma Velociraptor, Velociraptor Mom, Remy Rhamphorhynchus, Effie Effigia, Paulette Polycotylus
- Craig Bartlett as Spider
- Adam Behr as Kenny Kentrosaurus
- Nicole Bouma as Soren Saurornitholestes
- Jason Bryden as Tommy Ptilodus
- Jim Byrnes as Percy Paramacellodus
- Natasha Calis as Leslie Lesothosaurus, Maisie Mosasaurus
- Adrienne Carter as Kiera Chirostenotes (season 2)
- Garry Chalk as Marco Megaraptor
- Shannon Chan-Kent as Allie Alamosaurus
- Allison Cohen as Carla Cretoxyrhina
- Dylan Sloane Cowan as Rodney Raptorex
- Michelle Creber as Michelle Maiasaura
- Brenda Crichlow as Denise Diplodocus
- Deb Demille as Deanna Deinosuchus
- Trevor Devall as Boris Tyrannosaurus, Bucky Masiakasaurus, Mr. Deinonychus, Thurston Troodon, Peng Protopteryx
- Michael Dobson as Old Spinosaurus
- Brian Drummond as Alvin Allosaurus, Apollo Apatosaurus, Albert Albanerpeton, Eugene Euoplocephalus, Larry Lambeosaurus, Mr. Quetzalcoatlus, Mr. Therizinosaurus, Quinn Qantassaurus, Sammy the Slug, Ulysses Utahraptor, Zhuang Zigongosaurus, Trevor Triceratops, Yang Yangchuanosaurus, Xavier Xenotarsosaurus
- Brynna Drummond as Daphne Daspletosaurus
- Mitchell Duffield as Mookie Maiasaura
- Alex Ferris as Paulie Pliosaurus
- Andrew Francis as Patrick Pachycephalosaurus
- Alberto Gishi as Mitch Michelinoceras
- Nico Gishi as Leroy Lambeosaurus, Max Michelinoceras
- Gordon Grice as Derek Deinonychus, Elmer Elasmosaurus
- Olivia Hamilton as Lily Lambeosaurus
- Phil Hayes as Chung Confuciusornis, King Cryolophosaurus
- Maryke Hendrikse as Penelope Protoceratops
- Ryan Hirakida as Dylan Dilophosaurus
- Alessandro Juliani as Martin Amargasaurus
- Diana Kaarina as Tricia Troodon (most appearances)
- James Kirk as Perry Parasaurolophus, Rick Oryctodromeus, Nick Oryctodromeus
- Andrea Libman as Pamela Pachycephalosaurus
- Alan Marriott as Henry Hermit Crab, Herbie Hermit Crab, Iggy Iguanodon, Mayor Kosmoceratops, Deon Dimetrodon, Hap Haplocheirus
- Erin Mathews as Judy Jeholornis, Stacie Styracosaurus, Vera Velociraptor
- Donnie McNeil as Devlin Dilophosaurus
- Jason Michas as Henry Hermit Crab
- Bill Mondy as Jack Einiosaurus
- Peter New as Sydney Sinovenator
- Nicole Oliver as Brenda Brachiosaurus, Mrs. Pliosaurus
- Cedric Payne as Petey Peteinosaurus
- Adrian Petriw as Vlad Volaticotherium, Juan Wannanosaurus
- Joseph Purdy as Mr. Disclaimer
- Kelly Sheridan as Olivia Oviraptor
- Valin Shinyei as Sonny Sauroposeidon
- Rebecca Shoichet as Tricia Troodon ("Zeppelin: Pangaea" only), Kiera Chirostenotes (season 3), Cassie Castorocauda
- Tabitha St. Germain as Angela Avisaurus, Arlene Archaeopteryx, Cindy Cimolestes, Gabby Gallimimus, Keenan Chirostenotes, Computer Voice, Mikey Microraptor, Minnie Microraptor, Mom Archelon, Mrs. Conductor, Mrs. Deinonychus, Patricia Palaeobatrachus, Rita Raptorex, Sana Sanajeh, Selma Cimolestes, Shirley Stygimoloch, Sonja Styracosaurus, Spiky Stygimoloch, Stella Sea Star, Stephie Styracosaurus, Troodon Mom
- Chantal Strand as Valerie Velociraptor
- Lee Tockar as Crab, Craig Cretoxyrhina
- Kira Tozer as Ella Brachiosaurus
- Chiara Zanni as Shoshana Shonisaurus
UK voice cast
editThe UK dub only aired the first two seasons on Nick Jr. in the UK and Ireland from 2012 to 2015.
- Alex Starke as Buddy Pteranodon
- Sophia Andrews as Tiny Pteranodon
- Isobel Doran as Shiny Pteranodon
- Jack Graham as Don Pteranodon
- Christina Denham as Mrs. Pteranodon
- Hugo Chandor as Mr. Pteranodon
- Keir Stewart as Mr. Conductor and King Cryolophosaurus
- Joe Mills as Old Spinosaurus, Mayor Kosmoceratops and Vlad Volaticotherium
Production
editDevelopment
editIn early 2008, after the successful first run of Hey Arnold! on Nickelodeon, Craig Bartlett decided to create another children series, this one set during the era of the dinosaurs, including the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods. Bartlett conceived the idea for the show, drew the main characters, and wrote a pilot script. Bartlett said he got the idea of the show after he saw one of his kids put a toy dinosaur in a toy train.[8]
Episode segments
edit- Time for a Tiny Ditty – Tiny either tries singing about something she learned on the show or about her favorite dish (fish).
- Buddy has a Hypothesis – Children learn from Buddy and Tiny what a hypothesis means.
- Dr. Scott the Paleontologist – Scott Sampson is a paleontologist who appears on the show to teach children about the dinosaurs which have appeared in each episode, and how dinosaurs compare to present-day animals (including humans).[9] He received his PhD in zoology from the University of Toronto in 1993[10] and, as of August 2019,[update] is the CEO for Science World at TELUS World of Science in Vancouver, BC.[11]
Songs
edit- "Theme Song" – The opening theme, which is about a mom named Mrs. Pteranodon and her children, including a T. Rex whose egg landed in her nest, revealed to be written by King in his debut episode.
- "Hungry Hungry Herbivore" – An adult Brachiosaurus (judging by his deep voice) shows up to sing a song about how herbivores love to eat green food.
- "I'm a T-Rex" – Buddy sings that he finally realizes that he is T-Rex, and sings about living in the Cretaceous Forest.
- "Dinosaurs A-Z" – Mr. Conductor sings the Dinosaur Alphabet that his mother taught him. The second version, Buddy and Tiny sings the song to keep track of 26 different dinosaur species in the song to pick up on the train for a picnic at Troodon Town.
- "Cryolophosaurus Crests" – King sings about his crest.
- "My Tiny Place" – Tiny sings about her "Tiny Place", which is actually her hideout in the form of a small hole in a tree. She sometimes shares it with Cindy Cimolestes.
- "Nice to Meet You (My Name is Tiny)" – Tiny's song she sings to Leslie to tell her how she can talk to other dinosaurs without getting scared.
- "All Aboard" – The original theme song before the official Dinosaur Train theme song.
- "Tiny Loves Fish" – Tiny sings a song about how she loves fish.
- "I Love Trains" – The Conductor sings about his love for trains.[12]
- "I'll Always Be Your Mom" – Mrs. Pteranodon sings to her kids on how much she loves them.
- "Dinosaur Feet" – Daphne Daspletosaurus and the gang sings about their great big stomping dinosaur feet.
- "Sleep Little Dinosaur" – Buddy, Tiny, Shiny, Mrs. Pteranodon and Tank Triceratops sing Tank's lullaby that his mom sings to him every night.
- "I Learned a New Way to Improvise" – Shiny sings in a concert with Buddy, Tiny, Don, Cory Corythosaurus and Cory's cousin, Perry.[12]
- "Ecosystem" – Mr. Conductor sings about living in an ecosystem.
- "Get into Nature Song" – Song about the Nature Trackers club and getting into nature.
- "That's Not a Dinosaur" – Tiny and the gang sings about how not every animal in the Mesozoic Era is or is not a dinosaur.
- "No Place Like Our Nest" – The Pteranodon family sings about how their nest is the only home for them.
- "The Biggest Dinosaurs" – Over several episodes the Pteranodon family go on trips to see the biggest sauropods, and this song is specific to those episodes.
- "The Prettiest Pteranodon" – Mr. Pteranodon sing it to his wife while on date night.
- "Taking the Zeppelin Home" – Mr. Conductor, Thurston, Mr. Pteranodon and Larry sing as they fly home to Pteranodon Terrace.
- "What's at the Center of the Earth?" – The Pteranodon Family, Mr. Conductor, and Gilbert sing about the center of the Earth as they venture in it.[13][14]
- "The Dinosaur Train Zeppelin" – The Pteranodon Family and Mr. Conductor sing as they travel in the zeppelin.
- "Laramidia (The Dinosaur Big City)" – All the dinosaurs get together and sing about Laramidia, also known as the Dinosaur Big City. In the first version, the Pteranodon Family and Mr. Conductor sing the song.[citation needed] In the second version, King Cryolophosaurus and Mayor Kosmoceratops sing the song.[15]
Reception
editEmily Ashby of Common Sense Media gave this a show a rate four stars out of five, describing as a "Young dino's travels teach kids about science and diversity."[16]
Home media
editDVDs of the series from PBS Distribution were produced from 2010 to 2019. It also became part of PBS Kids compilation DVDs until 2021, when Elinor Wonders Why took over.
StudioCanal UK and StudioCanal Germany released the series on DVD in their respective countries.[17]
In other media
editLive show
editA live show, "Jim Henson's Dinosaur Train Live: Buddy's Big Adventure", toured the United States and Canada from September 2013 to June 2014.[18]
Film
editIn July 2020, Craig Bartlett announced an 85-minute musical film based on the series on Instagram.[6]
The film, titled Dinosaur Train: Adventure Island, premiered on April 12, 2021, serving as the series finale.[19]
References
edit- ^ "Henson Moving Forward with "Dinosaur Train" and "The Skumps"". Muppet News Flash. September 17, 2008. Archived from the original on March 17, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2013.
- ^ Perlmutter, David (2018). The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 156–157. ISBN 978-1-5381-0373-9.
- ^ a b c d "The Jim Henson Company Celebrates 100-Episode Milestone For Award-Winning Preschool Animated Series Dinosaur Train™ With New Season Five Episodes For PBS KIDS®" (Press release). Jim Henson Company. September 25, 2018. Archived from the original on August 15, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
- ^ "r/IAmA - This is Craig Bartlett, animation creator of Ready Jet Go!, Hey Arnold!, and Dinosaur Train – ask me anything!". reddit. April 2, 2018. Archived from the original on March 12, 2023. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
- ^ Hobson, Jane (September 26, 2018). "Henson roars for more Dinosaur Train". kidscreen. Brunico Communications Ltd. Archived from the original on September 27, 2018. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
- ^ a b "Craig Bartlett on Instagram: "I'm thrilled to be mixing the Dinosaur Train movie today! 85 minutes of thrills and spills! Tons of songs! All aboard!! #dinosaurtrain"". Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
- ^ a b "About Dinosaur Train". PBS KIDS for Parents. Archived from the original on August 26, 2019. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
- ^ a b Keogh, Tom (September 6, 2009). "All aboard the "Dinosaur Train," a new kids' show created by Seattle native Craig Bartlett". Seattle Times. Archived from the original on April 29, 2018. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
- ^ a b Owen, Rob (September 4, 2009). "'Dinosaur Train' combines two popular routes". Pittsburgh Post Gazette. Archived from the original on July 29, 2013. Retrieved September 6, 2013.
- ^ "Scott D. Sampson". June 9, 2010. Archived from the original on June 9, 2010. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
- ^ "Senior Leadership Team". Science World at TELUS World of Science. Archived from the original on June 29, 2019. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
- ^ a b "Hootin' Hadrosaurs!/Surprise Party". Dinosaur Train. Season 1. Episode 113. November 9, 2009. PBS Kids.
- ^ "What's at the Center of the Earth? Layers!/What's at The Center of The Earth? Fossils!". Dinosaur Train. Season 4. Episode 409. February 20, 2017. PBS Kids.
- ^ "What's at the Center of the Earth? Troglobites!/What's at The Center of The Earth? Minerals!". Dinosaur Train. Season 4. Episode 410. February 20, 2017. PBS Kids.
- ^ "Dinosaur Big City, Part 4". Dinosaur Train. Season 2. Episode 202. August 22, 2011. PBS Kids.
- ^ Ashby, Emily (August 21, 2023). "Dinosaur Train TV Review". Common Sense Media. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
- ^ "Jim Henson Company sells series and movie to global broadcasters". Archived from the original on September 14, 2022. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
- ^ "North American Tour Dates". Jim Henson's Dinosaur Train LIVE: Buddy's Big Adventure. Archived from the original on February 26, 2014.
- ^ "Dinosaur Train: Adventure Island: Episode 0 | Schedules | WGTE". www.wgte.org. Archived from the original on April 13, 2021. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
External links
edit- Official website
- "Dinosaur Train". PBS KIDS for Parents.
- "Dinosaur Train". PBS LearningMedia.
- "Dinosaur Train". Jim Henson Company. Archived from the original on April 6, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
- Dinosaur Train at IMDb
- Dinosaur Train at TV Guide