Fewer things are more fascinating than dinosaurs, the (mostly) humongous creatures that walked the earth until about 65 million years ago. These reptiles are so amazing that there are scientists who study them (paleontologists), tons of books about them, and museum exhibits all over the world devoted to them. Maybe you've been lucky enough to visit some dinosaur fossils up close and personal, or maybe you've even been on a fossil dig of your own.

Whether you're a budding paleontologist, a dinosaur nut, or simply curious, we've got a book for you. From picture books to reference books to novels, we're sure you'll find some dinosaur reading you'll like. Happy hunting!

   --- Shannon Maughan

DIGGING FOR BIRD-DINOSAURS: An Expedition to Madagascar
by Nic Bishop
Houghton Mifflin
ISBN: 0395960568
Ages 8-up
48 pages

This photo-essay takes you on a research trip led by paleontologist Cathy Forster to the island of Madagascar, which is located off the coast of Africa. You'll see real scientists at work in the field --- and all the difficulties, drudgery and excitement they run into. Informative and inspiring stuff.

DINOSAURS (A Magic Tree House Research Guide)
by Mary Pope Osborne
illustrated by Sal Murdocca
Random House
ISBN: 0375802967
Ages 5-9
119 pages

You may have already traveled to the time of the dinosaurs with Jack and Annie in the Magic Treehouse title DINOSAURS BEFORE DARK. Now you can follow along as the kids do some more detailed research on these incredible beasts of the past in this solid nonfiction guide. Fun facts and illustrations are included.

WOOLLY MAMMOTH: Life, Death, and Rediscovery
by Windsor Chorlton
Scholastic
ISBN: 0439241340
Ages 8-12
40 pages

This book features full-color photos of a 1997 expedition to unearth a woolly mammoth from the permafrost where it had been buried in Siberia for more than 20,000 years. A nine-year-old boy in Siberia first made the discovery when he saw the mammoth's six-foot tusks sticking up out of the ground. Explorers and scientists took over from there and in this book explain what happened to what they now call the Jarkov mammoth.

MEGATOOTH
by Patrick O'Brien
Henry Holt
ISBN: 0805062149
Ages 4-8
32 pages

O'Brien describes what a Megalodon --- a giant shark that was bigger than a Tyrannosaurus rex --- could have looked like when it ruled the seas 10 million years ago. The Great White sharks we know today are merely the puny ancestors of the beast nicknamed Megatooth.

BEYOND THE DINOSAURS!: Sky Dragons, Sea Monsters, Mega-Mammals and Other Prehistoric Beasts
by Howard Zimmerman
Atheneum
ISBN: 0689841132
All ages
64 pages

Apparently, the prehistoric area was a pretty dangerous time. Believe it or not, dinosaurs were not necessarily the biggest, baddest creatures roaming the earth then. This book introduces --- via fun facts and large-sized artwork --- the woolly mammoth, the saber-toothed tiger, and "flying nightmares" that lived so long ago.

DINOTOPIA: First Flight
by James Gurney
HarperCollins
ISBN: 0060280077
All ages
64 pages

The third book about Dinotopia --- the faraway fantastic land where people and dinosaurs live in harmony --- series is here. This latest title leads us back to Dinotopia's ancient past, where the orphan Gideon Altaire tries to save the dinosaurs from the evil empire of Poseidos. A free board game is included, bound right into this book.

DINOSAURS AND HOW THEY LIVED (See & Explore Library)
by Steve Parker
illustrated by Guiliano Fornari Sergio
DK
ISBN: 0789434474
Ages 9-up
64 pages

Step back in time with this jam-packed book, to see where dinosaurs came from, what the world was when dinosaurs ruled, and why they became extinct. Carefully-drawn illustrations, a dinosaur "picture gallery" and an index, make this a handy reference.

A NEST OF DINOSAURS: The Story of Oviraptor
by Mark A. Norell and Lowell Dingus
Doubleday
ISBN: 0385325584
Ages 10-up
48 pages

You'll get a fascinating look at how scientists really work in this book about an amazing dinosaur discovery. Lowell Dingus and Mark A. Norell, both paleontologists, were on an expedition in Mongolia's Gobi Desert in 1993 when they found some spectacular fossils. They dug up a dinosaur embryo (baby) still in its shell, and the bones of an Oviraptor dinosaur that was perched on a nest of eggs. Scientists used to believe that Oviraptors were a vicious bunch that raided nests to steal eggs. Thanks to this new discovery, we now have a very different idea of how Oviraptor behaved. Museum photos and illustrations bring this great story to life. You can read about more dinosaur egg discoveries in another book by Lowell Dingus, THE TINIEST GIANTS.

AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY: On the Trail of Incredible Dinosaurs
by William Lindsay
DK
ISBN: 0789436280
Ages 4-9
96 pages

Some of the world's best paleontologists show you how their work is done in this filled-to-the-brim book. From digging fossils to designing museum displays to loads of facts about Tyrannosaurus, Barosaurus, Corythosaurus and Triceratops, it's all here. Timelines, cool photos and crisp drawings complete this great package.

THE TINIEST GIANTS
by Lowell Dingus and Luis Chappe
Doubleday
ISBN: 0385326424
Ages 10-up
48 pages

Lowell Dingus and Luis Chappe were part of a team of paleontologists who went on an expedition in Patagonia (an area of southern South America, near Argentina) in 1997. What they discovered there was a dinosaur nesting ground and hundreds of fossilized dinosaur eggs. Photos and timelines will give you a closer look at their exciting trip --- and their fascinating discovery.

AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY: Tyrranosaurus
by William Lindsay, with Mark Norell
DK
ISBN: 0789442728
Ages 4-10
32 pages

The knock-out color photographs in this book show you how museums excavate dinosaur fossils, reconstruct the skeletons and display them. Includes a listing of Tyrannosaurus rex specimens at museums around the world.

BIGGER THAN T. REX
by Don Lessem
illustrated by Bob Walters and Greg Wenzel
Crown
ISBN: 0517709309
Ages 9-12
32 pages

Dinosaur guru Don Lessem explores the discovery and preliminary finding compiled on Giganotosaurus --- an argentinian meat eater slightly bigger than carnivorous king, Tyrannosaurus rex. While the book is light on meaty detail itself, illustrations by brilliant paleo artists Bob Walters and Greg Wenzel more than make up for the limited text.

DINOSAUR DISASTER (Frank and Joe Hardy, the Clues Brothers , No 5)
by Franklin W. Dixon
illustrated by Marcy Ramsey
Price Stern Sloan
ISBN: 0671004069
Ages 9-12
128 pages

Young Hardy Boys Frank and Joe are excited about a dinosaur movie model exhibit --- until one of the awesome beasts vanishes into thin air. Now they must face a monster mystery if they if they want to save the day --- and Bayport Elementary's special dinosaur adventure.

DINOSAUR GHOSTS: The Mystery of Coelophysis
by J. Lynett Gillette
illustrated by Doug Henderson
Dial
ISBN: 0803717210
Ages 9-12
32 pages

Woman paleontologist and museum curator Lynett Gillette brilliantly explores the mysterious Coelophysis bone beds of New Mexico's Ghost Ranch in this stellar picture book illustrated masterfully by paleo-artist Doug Henderson. When scientists first discovered dozens of tiny skeletons in a 30 square-foot area in 1947, they weren't quite sure what they'd found. What was this German Shepherd sized dinosaur? And why had so many of them died in one place? Gillette offers theories based on her own first-hand research. Henderson's breathtaking paintings add life and drama to an already fascinating page from Triassic history.

DINOSAUR HABITAT
by Helen V. Griffith
illustrated by Sonja Lamut
Greenwillow
ISBN: 0380732254
Ages 9-12
96 pages

The fact that his mom has gone back to work isn't the worst development in young Nathan's life. It's baby sitting his eight-year-old brother Ryan that really gets his goat. But all that loses its sting when Ryan's prehistoric egg hatches in his bedroom terrarium, giving birth to a real life dinosaur, and an amazing experience no one will ever believe.

DINOSAURS (Discovery Box)
by Gallimard Jeunesse
Expert consultant, Dr. Thomas R. Holtz
Scholastic
ISBN: 0590926853
Ages 7-10

When you check out this introduction to dinosaurs and paleontology, you'll find something extra: a cardboard skeleton puzzle tucked inside the back cover of the book. Try your hand at building a beast.

DINOSAURS (A Dk Guide)
by Neil Clark, William Lindsay
DK
ISBN: 1564586626
Ages 10 and up
160 pages

DK's standard picture-rich, spare-text formula works wonders with dinosaur discoveries in this skillfully crafted book by British dinosaur expert Neil Clark. Like all good paleontologists, Clark asks questions --- Which dinosaur used its tail as a whip? How did Deinonychus flick its lethal claws? Why did dinosaurs become extinct? --- then examines possible conclusions.

DINOSAURS: Fossil Hunters
by Dougal Dixon
Boyds Mills Press
ISBN: 1563975327
Ages 9-12
32 pages

Dinosaur expert Dougal Dixon has established himself via this and other quality books. Here he offers an excellent, very basic introduction to the field science of searching for fossils, and the scientists who excavate them.

DISCOVERING DINOSAURS IN THE OLD WEST: The Field Journals of Arthur Lakes
by Michael F. Kohl, John S. McIntosh & John H. Ostrom
Smithsonian Institution Press
ISBN: 1560989637
Ages 8 and up
198 pages

Nearly 100 years ago, a fierce competition between academics O.C. Marsh and Edward Drinker Cope gave birth to not only the "Bone Wars," but modern American paleontology. Field specialist Arthur Lakes was one of the foremost generals in that scientific battle. These excerpts from his journals and professional notes help bring the 1870's adventures --- full of danger, hardship and excitement --- to life.

THE DINOSAUR HUNTER'S KIT: Discover the Traces of a Lost World
by Ted Daeschler
Running Press
ISBN: 0894718045
64 pages

Midwestern dinosaur expert and paleontologist Ted Daeschler offers aspiring paleontologists an authentic look at field notes and dinosaur digs. He explores thereality of the science, then offers young readers a chance to write their own paleo notes as they excavate and restore a copy (cast) of an Apatosaurus fossil. Tools, paints, brush and fossil replica included.

THE NEW BOOK OF DINOSAURS
by Dr. David Unwin
Consultant, Dr. Michael Benton
Copper Beech
ISBN: 0761305890
Ages 7-10
32 pages

Photographs and computer generated art offer an up-to-the-minute look at paleontology. You'll find all the basic, but some of the more advanced topics here include dinosaur DNA, metabolism and migration.

A DINOSAUR NAMED SUE (Hello Reader, Science Level 4)
by Fay Robinson
illustrated by Portia Rollins
Scholastic/Cartwheel
ISBN: 0439099838
Ages 5-8
32 pages

Here's the lowdown on the most exciting dinosaur find in decades. Open this book and meet Sue, the largest and most complete T. rex fossil ever discovered. You'll see how she was found in South Dakota, excavated and transported to the Field Museum in Chicago.

THE DINOSAUR THAT FOLLOWED ME HOME (Camp Haunted Hills)
by Bruce Coville
illustrated by John Pierard
Minstrel
ISBN: 0671647504
Ages 9-12

Fantasy master Bruce Coville lends his ample imagination and storytelling ability to things dinosaurian in this chapter book filled with chills and thrills. Stuart is eager to spend a summer at Camp Haunted Hills. But he finds more than adventure when he and a friend travel back in time to the days of the dinosaur.

DINOSAURS! The Biggest Baddest Strangest Fastest
by Howard Zimmerman
Atheneum
ISBN: 0689832761
Ages 5-8
64 pages

This fact-filled book has so much information that the publishers decided to make it really big. You'll have a great time exploring the oversize pages and learning the names and behavior of creatures within the various dinosaur families.

DISNEY'S DINOSAUR!: The Essential Guide
by DK Publishing
DK
ISBN: 0789454521
Ages 7-up
64 pages

If you see Disney's Dinosaur! movie, you're going to be wondering, "How did they do that?" Don't miss this volume jam-packed with images from the film and information about how the film's creators mastered all kinds of computer animation and high-tech special effects. Great for techies, dino fans and movie buffs.

RAPTOR WITHOUT A CAUSE (Dinoverse #3)
by Scott Ciencin
illustrated by Mike Fredericks
Random House
ISBN: 0679888454
Ages 9-up
192 pages

Have you ever imagined what it would be like to be a dinosuar? In this fast-paced fantasy, Will Reilly gets to find out. When a science fair project gets out of hand, Will is transported back to preshistoric times --- and into the body of a Raptor! The same thing has happened to three of his classmates, too. Will they ever get back to the modern-day world? And will they be able to fight off the ferocious Raptor named Hook? Join the adventure and find out.

DINO-TREKKING: The Ultimate Dinosaur Lover's Travel Guide
by Kelly Milner Halls
John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 0471114987
Ages 8-up

This unusual travel guide will take you and your family off the beaten path. Discover great dinosaur museums and public dinosaur sites throughout the U.S. A helpful resource directory tells you where you can order all sorts of dinosaur products, too.

DINOSAURS BEFORE DARK
(Magic Tree House #1)
by Mary Pope Osborne
Random House
ISBN: 0679824111
Ages 6-9
72 pages

Jack and Annie discover a magic tree house in the woods near their home. Once they climb inside they discover that the tree house is magic --- it takes them back in time to the land of the dinosaurs where they meet a Pteranodon and a Tyrannosaurus rex.

THE MAGIC SCHOOL BUS IN THE TIME OF THE DINOSAURS
by Joanna Cole
illustrated Bruce Degen
Scholastic
ISBN: 0590446894
Ages 4-8
48 pages

What starts out a field trip to a Montana dinosaur dig becomes a journey into the prehistoric past, thanks to Ms. Frizzle and the miraculous Magic School Bus. The Friz and her students go beyond the Cretaceous duckbill Maiasaurus nest they first set out to explore, slipping back into the earlier Jurassic and Triassic realms of the Mesozoic era, as well. They discover, firsthand, that fossils provide clues about how these ancient creatures lived as well as how they died.

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