I am not sure that there is anything more engaging, more mesmerizing, more completely bewildering, than dinosaurs. I mean, these are real life, prehistoric, gigantic monsters who drank the same water we drink.
Boom — mind blown!
These Dinosaur books for kids are FULL of incredible, mind blowing facts and information. In this list of 10 epic dinosaur books, you will find some fiction and some non-fiction, some dinosaur picture books, some chapter books, some encyclopedias, and pretty much everything else you and your little dinosaur lover could dream up!
You will find these books to be a very well rounded group of books, covering a wide variety of topics, and this is because this is the suggested book list from my Dinosaur Unit Study!
If you are new here, let me explain. Each month I release a brand new Family Unit Study, which is perfect for the whole family to enjoy together as the activities work for all children aged 6-12 years old. In fact, most of the activities work perfectly for younger children also.
Each Unit Study covers 10 topics, and each of those 10 topics includes:
- interesting facts,
- informative readings at your finger tips,
- a hands on activity with materials you already have at home
- ‘What’s Happening’ information to accompany your hands on activity
- a curated YouTube video
- Math questions
- Literacy prompts
- AND a suggested book that fits the particular topic!
Be sure to check out my full Dinosaur Unit Study right here!
So today I thought I would share with you the 10 topics that we cover with our Dinosaur Unit Study and also the suggested book that beautifully fits each topic.
I strongly suggest you take these books out from the library, if you are able to, and I have also included my Amazon affiliate links below, in case you would like to add them to your personal library.
Ready to explore dinosaurs? Here are my selections for 10 EPIC dinosaur books for kids:
Topic One: Mesozoic Era
Mesozoic Era: The Mesozoic Era, sometimes called the Age of the Dinosaurs, lasted nearly 180 million years—from approximately 252 to 66 million years ago. The Mesozoic Era includes three periods: the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods. Book Selection: Dinosaurs: A Visual Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition, by D.K. Description: The ultimate visual encyclopedia introduces a huge variety of record-breaking dinosaurs in mind-blowing detail.
Topic Two: Triassic Period
Triassic Period: The Triassic Period took place 252 to 200 million years ago. It began after an extinction event known as “the Great Dying” devastated life on Earth, causing the extinction of up to 90% of all species. However, life that survived this event repopulated the planet and the first dinosaurs emerged. Book Selection: Twins Travel to the Triassic, by Anastasiya Galkina. Description: After uncovering a magical book, a brother and sister duo are whisked away, soon finding themselves walking among the dinosaurs. The dynamic duo have found themselves transported to the Triassic Era… more than 250 million years ago!
Topic Three: Jurassic Period
The Jurassic Period: The Jurassic period took place 200 to 145 million years ago. As the breakup of Pangaea continued, the increase in water and new oceans emerging created a humid, subtropical environment. It was also during this time that the earliest known bird took to the skies. Book Selection: Could You Survive the Jurassic Period? By Matt Doeden. Description: You’ve just been sucked back in time millions of years! Grasses sway higher than your head. Huge insects swarm the skies and fearsome dinosaurs rule the landscape. Do you think you have what it takes to survive in the Jurassic Period?
Topic Four: Cretaceous Period
Cretaceous Period: The Cretaceous Period took place 145 to 66 million years ago, and was the longest period in the Mesozoic Era. The majority of the most well known dinosaurs came from this time, including the Tyrannosaurus Rex, Velociraptor, Triceratops, and Brachiosaurus. Book Selection: Weird but True! Dinosaurs: 300 Dino-mite facts to sink your teeth into! By National Kids. Description: Calling all dino dynamos! Get ready to devour wacky wonders, facts, stats, and trivia about all things dinosaur.
Topic Five: Dinosauria
Dinosauria: Dinosaurs are a diverse group of reptiles from the clade (or group) Dinosauria. As we now know, dinosaurs first appeared during the Triassic period and were the dominant species through to the Cretaceous period. Currently, we know of around 900 dinosaur species that existed, with more likely to be discovered. Book Selection: The Dinosaur Book By DK. Description: An essential encyclopedia for young paleontologists containing over 1000 visual illustrations to learn more about dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures.
Topic Six: Ornithischians
Ornithischians: Ornithischians were an order of herbivorous dinosaurs that had pelvic structures similar to birds. In fact, the name Ornithischia is derived from the Greek stem ornith-, meaning “of a bird”, and ischion, plural ischia, meaning “hip joint”. Ornithischians also include “horn-faced” dinosaurs like the Triceratops and armored dinosaurs like the Stegosaurus. Book Selection: Everything Dinosaurs, By Blake Hoena. Description: In National Geographic Kids Everything Dinosaurs, kids will explore the fascinating world of dinosaurs, meeting prehistoric creatures as tall as houses, and others that were as tiny as chickens.
Topic Seven: Sauropods
Sauropods: Sauropods were herbivorous dinosaurs with very long necks, long tails, small heads, and four thick, powerful legs. Sauropods are some of the largest animals to have ever lived on land. The Titanosaur is believed to be the largest dinosaur to have ever existed, at around 37 meters long! Book Selection: Dino-Sorted! Gigantic (Sauropod) Dinosaurs By Franklin Watts. Description: This book transports children back in time to meet the massive sauropods! Discover how these heavy herbivores evolved strong legs, necks and tails to support their great weight and keep them balanced. Readers can find out about all the different sauropod species and how they survived in the prehistoric world.
Topic 8: Theropods
Theropods: Theropods (from the Greek words for “wild beast” and “foot”) includes all known carnivorous dinosaurs and birds. Theropods used their hind legs for support and their short forelimbs were likely used for grasping and tearing prey. Modern-day birds are descendants of one lineage of small theropods. Book Selection: Dino-Sorted! Killer (Theropod) Dinosaurs, By Franklin Watts. Description: This book transports children back in time to meet the terrifying theropods! These killer dinosaurs were fierce predators who used their top speed and sharp teeth and jaws to catch prey. Readers can find out about different theropod species and how some theropods evolved into the first birds.
Topic 9: Fossils
Fossils: By studying fossils, we can find out where a dinosaur lived, what it looked like, and even what it ate. Fossils
can also help us learn what our planet was like millions of years ago. Book Selection: My Book of Fossils: A fact-filled guide to prehistoric life, By DK. Description: From glittering ammonites to razor-sharp dinosaur claws and delicate leaf impressions, uncover our world’s prehistoric past through the incredible fossils left behind. Arranged by plant or animal type, there are profiles of 50 key fossils, including well-loved favorites, such as Triceratops, and more curious remains, such as fossil fish teeth.
Topic 10: Paleontology
Paleontology: Paleontologists study ancient life, from dinosaurs to prehistoric plants, fish, insects, and even fungi.
Paleontologists plan digs to search for fossils, and analyze those fossils to learn as much as they can about
the history of life on Earth. Book Selection: Paleontology: The study of prehistoric life, By Susan H. Gray. Description: Discover how paleontologists dig deep to discover these remains and how they use them to learn more about the plants and animals that once covered the planet.
And there you have it, my friend! The 10 Epic Dinosaur books for kids that were selected as the book suggestions for my Family Unit Study: Dinosaurs!
If you love these 10 Dinosaur books, or if you have a child who loves dinosaurs, be sure to grab my Dinosaur Unit Study right here.
It is roaringly good – some might even call it dino-mite!
xo
Sarah
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