All kids love reading about dinosaur books- whether they be fiction or non-fiction. From the strong triceratops to the speedy velociraptor, there’s a myriad of different kinds of dinosaurs that your kiddos can discover. We’ve taken care of the work for you by sourcing 40 of the most engaging fiction and non-fiction dino-based reads. These books will surely become fast favorites for kids of all ages- so what are you waiting for? Get them into the hands of your readers!
1. How to Catch a Dinosaur by Adam Wallace
Make your kids feel like they’re a part of the Catch Club as they embark on a wild hunt to find and catch a dinosaur to prove that they still exist. They’ll discover exactly how to catch a dinosaur in case they encounter one of these magnificent creatures roaming the Earth again!
2. How Do Dinosaurs Learn to Read? by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague
Sometimes learning to read is an overwhelming task, but this book will undoubtedly make your readers feel less alone! Your children will laugh throughout the story, How Do Dinosaurs Learn to Read? The irresistible humor that shines through the illustrations of oversized dinosaurs as well as rhyming text is sure to get your kids excited about picking up their next book.
3. Mad Scientist Academy: The Dinosaur Disaster by Matthew McElligott
How would your learners feel about adopting a dinosaur as a class pet? In this story, they’re sure to find out all the ins and outs of what that would entail! When the first day of school comes and the kids learn that their teacher has a pet dinosaur, they quickly realize that things are going to be different this school year.
4. The Dinosaur Expert (Mr. Tiffin’s Classroom Series) by Margaret McNamara
This one’s dedicated to all of the girls in your classroom! When Kimmy and her class go on a field trip to the Natural History Museum, she’s thrilled to share all that she knows about dinosaurs until one of her classmates questions whether a girl can be a paleontologist. It takes Kimmy’s teacher to help her find her expert voice again.
5. We Love Dinosaurs by Lucy Volpin
Here’s a fun and feel-good read! The rhyming text and bright illustrations bring We Love Dinosaurs to life. This is the perfect book for your little ones to read and details why they should adore not fear dinos.
6. In the Past: From Trilobites to Dinosaurs to Mammoths in More Than 500 Million Years by David Elliot
In the Past combines poetry with illuminating illustrations that are sure to transport your readers to a time when dinosaurs roamed the Earth. Along the way, they’ll be surprised by all of the dinos they’ve never heard of- like the dunkleosteus and the meganaura!
7. Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug by Jonathan Stutzman
Even dinosaurs need hugs from their friends! Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug is a wonderful tale that proves that kindness and perseverance are sometimes all you need to make things happen. When Pointy needs a hug because he’s feeling down, your kiddos will learn that the best hugs come from the biggest hearts.
8. Dinosaur vs. Bedtime by Bob Shea
Here’s a great read-aloud that will have your kids in fits of laughter! Dinosaur Vs. Bedtime will show your readers just how stubborn this little dino can be! When asked to get ready for bed, all he does is roar! Who will win the classic battle of getting him to go to bed- the parents or the wild youngin’?
9. How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night? by Jane Yolen
The thought of a dinosaur sleeping in a normal-sized bed is enough to get your kids giggling- but what about when these scaly creatures try to do everything that humans do? This wonderful good-night read has simple verse and hilarious illustrations that see dinosaurs take on common scenarios whilst acting like humans.
10. The Dinosaurs Valentine’s Day by Jessica Brady
In The Dinosaurs’ Valentine’s Day, Logan is busy making cards that remind him of all the wonderful reasons why he loves his friends. It’s a feel-good story with a sweet message that you can share with your little sweethearts this Valentine’s Day!
11. Dinosaur Dance! by Sandra Boynton
Your little ones will undoubtedly be pulling this one off the shelf for you to read to them time and time again! Dinosaur Dance will have all of them giggling and moving along with all the dancing dinosaurs as they do the Shimmy Shimmy Shake and Quivery Quake!
12. Dino-Racing by Lisa Wheeler
Here’s a page-turner that will have your little ones keen on zooming right through from start to finish! In Dino-Racing, the meat-eaters compete against the plant-eaters in three different racing events. This story is told in rhyme and depicts a fun competition that ends in a celebration; who will take home the trophy?
13. Dancing Dinos Go to School by Sally Lucas
Dancing Dinos Go to School is the perfect first reader for children who are eager to start reading, but aren’t fans of big words. The rhyme and humor is woven throughout this tale as the dancing dinos take over the classroom. We bet this book will become a class favorite!
14. Ten Minutes To Bed Little Dinosaur by Rhiannon Fielding and Chris Chatterton
This book has the most lovable character who’s sure to draw your kiddies in! The ten-minute countdown to bed is on as Rumble begins with a crashing journey through the jungle and encounters lots of adventure along the way. As we near the end of the book, the excitement slows to a gentle lull- a perfect way to send your little ones off to slumber land.
15. How Do Dinosaurs Say Happy Birthday by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague
How Do Dinosaurs Say Happy Birthday is another wonderfully written story by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague that will have everyone in your class laughing out loud. Better yet- this silly dino celebration will teach them how to behave at birthday parties.
16. Dinosaurs by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld
For our first non-fiction book on this list, we’ve chosen a classic from the National Geographic Kids books, Dinosaurs. This level-one book is perfect for your emerging readers and is packed with facts and complex images!
17. Dinosaur Days by Joyce Milton
This science reader will give your young readers the confidence to navigate non-fiction text! Dinosaur Days is packed with gorgeous illustrations by Franco Tempesta that will give your kids a good look at some well-known dinos as well as the lesser-known species from prehistoric times.
18. National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Dinosaurs by Catherine D. Hughes
If you have a few dino fans in class, you simply must include this read in your library! National Geographic’s Little Kids First Big Book of Dinosaurs will bring to life these ancient creatures like never before. This book is bursting with fantastic illustrations that highlight a different dinosaur on each page- making this a fun and informative read for kids.
19. My Big Dinosaur Book by Roger Priddy
This is the perfect book for your budding paleontologists and does a fantastic job at bringing various dinos to life with vivid illustrations! Each page includes facts and realistic images that will help your youngsters learn about these ancient animals.
20. Dinosaur A-Z by Roger Priddy
Your youngest kiddos will love relating the alphabet to dinosaur names! The dramatic illustrations in Dinosaurs A-Z will take them on a journey through the alphabet whilst presenting them with fun facts about some of the largest creatures to have ever roamed the Earth!
21. Oh Say Can You Say Di-no-saur by Bonnie Worth
For your kiddos who aren’t so interested in dinosaurs, but love Dr. Seuess- the Cat in the Hat will capture their attention and take them on a prehistoric adventure! Your readers will be introduced to how dino fossils are formed and found, as well as meet some of the coolest dinosaurs that ever lived.
22. Encyclopedia Prehistorica Dinosaurs: The Definitive Pop-Up by Robert Sabuda
This breathtaking dinosaur book will have your most diehard dinosaur devotees in awe! Each page is more fascinating than the next in this dino encyclopedia! As the T. Rex springs out from the first page, your little enthusiasts will know that they’ve chosen the right book!
23. National Geographic Kids Dinos Sticker Activity Book: Over 1,000 Stickers! by National Kids
What kids don’t love stickers? This exciting dino-themed sticker book will invite them to compare similarities and differences between different species. There are stickers of archeologists’ tools, bones, and of course dinos! More than just being exposed to fun facts, your kiddos can engage in a host of fun activities.
24. The Dinosaur Museum by National Geographic Society
The Dinosaur Museum is the perfect gift for paleontologist-wannabes who can’t get enough of these prehistoric giants. This read goes beyond a typical book- with pop-ups, pull-outs, wheels, flaps, and tabs to get your kiddos interacting with each dino in a new way. With surprises at every turn, your dinosaur enthusiasts are sure to remain captivated for hours on end!
25. Everything You Need to Know About Dinosaurs by DK
This Smithsonian book is the perfect pick for your dinosaur lovers! It dives into the wonderful prehistoric era and unearths everything from the earliest fossils to the death of their species, and everything in between.
26. Weird But True! Dinosaurs: 300 Dino-Mite Facts to Sink Your Teeth Into by National Kids
Weird But True! Dinosaurs is filled with fascinating dinosaur-related info that will have your kids’ jaws on the floor! This read is packed with interesting facts from how the dinos looked to what humans have done with the fossils they’ve found. Your readers will be dying to share what they’ve learned about these fascinating creatures with all of their friends!
27. Dino Dana: Dino Field Guide by J.J. Johnson
Based on the Emmy nominated, Amazon Prime TV show Dino Dana, fans of the show and dinosaur enthusiasts alike will enjoy this field guide on dinosaurs. Dana, a relatable kid, will take them on an adventure packed with colorful illustrations and tons of fascinating facts!
28. The Big Book of Dinosaurs by DK
The Big Book of Dinosaurs can only be described as a visual wonder thanks to its detailed artwork as well as photographs of lifelike models. This read is sure to provide your little ones with a different perspective of these amazing creatures along with equipping them with some fun facts about the fiercest dinos to have ever lived.
29. Dinosaurs: A Visual Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition by DK
This dinosaur encyclopedia is a visual celebration of these prehistoric creatures. This educational book dives into the lives of these wonderful creatures and provides stunning life-like images. Your kids can digest it slowly as they take in all of the colors and textures of these beasts!
30. The Age of Dinosaurs: The Rise and Fall of the World’s Most Remarkable Animals by Steve Brusatte
Here’s one of the most perfect books for your kids aged 7 to 12! It includes a peak into the life of the world’s oldest beings- the massive herbivores and carnivorous predators that now cease to exist. This book serves as a reminder that we can constantly learn new information about these incredible creatures that once roamed the Earth.
31. We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T Higgins
This adorable picture book by Ryan Higgins is sure to make your students burst with laughter. Not only is there a dinosaur in class, but she keeps trying to eat the other students! This fun story is perfect for sparking conversations about respecting others’ space and practicing self-control.
32. Tea Rex by Molly Idle
This imaginative book is perfect for little ones who can’t decide what they like best: fancy tea parties or ferocious dinosaurs! In Tea Rex, the author conveys a wondrous tale about what it would be like to invite a dinosaur to tea. The engaging illustrations capture all the silliness that ensues from start to finish so even your littlest of readers can remain captivated!
33. Danny and the Dinosaur by Syd Hoff
If your dino lovers are ready for some independent reading, here’s an I Can Read Level 1 book that will grab their attention! At a museum, a little boy named Danny makes a wish, and the dinosaur in the exhibit comes to life! Lots of shenanigans ensue when he takes this new friend to a baseball game, the zoo, and other places in town- building an unimaginable, long-lasting relationship!
34. Magic Tree House #1: Dinosaurs Before Dark by Mary Pope Osborne
The beloved chapter book series, The Magic Tree House, begins with a book about dinosaurs. Your readers will surely love joining Jack and Annie as they discover the time-traveling tree house and embark on a prehistoric journey where they encounter several ancient creatures.
35. Chalk by Bill Thomson
Wordless books like Chalk provide an excellent opportunity to develop your students’ oral language skills. As you page through this captivating story, where illustrations tell a tale of magical chalk that makes a T-rex come to life, your kiddos can describe the exciting adventure in their own words.
36. The Magic School Bus in the Time of the Dinosaurs by Joanna Cole & Bruce Degen
In this Magic School Bus adventure, the famous yellow bus takes Mrs. Frizzle’s class back to prehistoric times! Along with the exciting fictional story, this book includes true dinosaur facts for your students to learn. Due to some of the realistic illustrations, this book is suited best to older elementary learners.
37. When Dinosaurs Came With Everything by Elise Broach
Here’s an imaginative tale that will certainly spark some joy in your little readers! In this adorable book, a little boy running errands with his mom is delighted to discover that he gets a real dinosaur with every purchase. This story provides a great opportunity to engage your kiddos in a creative writing exercise after reading; your students can write about what they would do all day if they got a new dinosaur companion!
38. Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs by Mo Willems
We’ve all heard the tale, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, but did you know there’s a spin-off? Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs is the perfect fractured fairytale to add to your dinosaur unit. In this story by Mo Willems, three dinosaurs trick Goldilocks into their home and plan to eat her! Students can compare this tale with its traditional counterpart, meeting important literacy standards.
39. Dinosaur Kisses by David Ezra Stein
This is a must-have for your preschool and kinder classrooms! In Dinosaur Kisses, the lovable baby dinosaur, Dinah, accidentally hurts her friends when she tries to kiss them; she ends up stomping and chomping them instead! This book is perfect for helping your little ones learn about gentleness and how to give others personal space.
40. Dig Those Dinosaurs by Lori Haskins Houran
Introduce your students to the vast world of paleontology with this informative book! Dig Those Dinosaurs will teach your kids about studying fossils and dinosaur bones alongside other kid paleontologists who assemble their findings. We love the way that they show the process of a real dino dig, as well as keep readers’ attention with a captivating storyline.