33 Terrific Dinosaur Books for Kids – What Dino Lovers Need!

1. Never Touch a Dinosaur! – Rosie Greening & Stuart Lynch

This sensory book is fantastic for curious little hands exploring the world. We had the Dragon version, and it was my son’s favorite when he was ten months old. He chewed the book a bit too, which I do not recommend 😅

The book tells a funny rhyme with the dangers of touching a dinosaur – and of course, children will ignore all the warnings! The textures are made of silicone, safe for babies and toddlers. There are more books in the series, which are great for keeping babies and toddlers entertained.

2. Where’s George’s Dinosaur? – a lift-the-flap book

This book is a lift-the-flap book. George’s dinosaur is a little green dinosaur who likes to play hide and seek. He likes to hide in unexpected places, like under the couch or behind the curtains. The reader has to help find George’s Dinosaur by lifting flaps in the picture book until he is found! This makes it fun for children because they are not just looking at pictures but also participating in finding things with their parents or caregivers.

3. First 100 Dinosaurs – Roger Priddy

While you might not be able to read this book to your children, this is an excellent book for parents looking for a fun way to introduce their kids to dinosaurs. The illustrations in the book are colorful and fun and help children learn about each dinosaur’s name, classification, habitat, and diet.

Children love learning about dinosaurs, so this book is perfect for young readers interested in dinosaurs who want something more straightforward than what we’ve discussed on our list of the best dinosaurs books!

4. National Geographic Little Kids First Board Big Book of Dinosaurs

Introducing your little dino lover to the fascinating world of dinosaurs is never too early. This book is a fun and educational introduction to dinosaurs, with stunning illustrations (each spread in this sturdy book features a different dinosaur), super simple facts about dinosaurs, and age-appropriate language to keep babies and toddlers fascinated.

5. Lift-the-flap Questions and Answers about Dinosaurs – Usborne

We love this book at home! This book is a fun and interesting way to answer some of the children’s most popular questions about dinosaurs. Parents will appreciate how these questions and answers are presented, as they’re designed to be easy for even a young reader to understand. Kids will love finding out facts about these gigantic creatures after lifting the flaps, while parents will learn with them all sorts of new things engagingly!

7. Tyrannosaurus Drip – Julia Donaldson & David Roberts

Drip is a duckbill dinosaur that accidentally hatches in a Tyrannosaurus’ nest. He is clearly very different from his “parents” and “sisters,” he likes other things, and he doesn’t feel he fits in. They make fun of him and his tastes; he wants to eat veggies, is peaceful, and doesn’t like hunting. It’s a fun story about being different and finding your place.

Also, I’m sure vegans will like Drip a lot. We’ve read it so many times at home that we know most of it by heart. We love Julia Donaldson’s books at home, and this one is a must-read. Check out some more from her that is simply brilliant here.

8. Grannysaurus! – David Walliams & Adam Stower

One night, Spike goes down the stairs to discover that his grandma has turned into a dinosaur! She’s Grannysaurus! She’s dancing in the living room with Brontosaurus, Stegosaurus, and Giganotosaurus; it’s a dino disco party! Although Spike wants to stay up and dance, how will Grannysaurus make him go to bed? This is a hilarious bedtime book ideal for dino lovers.

9. The Dinosaur that Pooped the Bed and series – Julie Danneberg and Bruce Whatley

This one is a modern classic. The Dinosaur that Pooped the Bed tells the story of a dinosaur who poops in his bed and then tries to hide it. But he can’t hide it forever, as he soon discovers!

It’s an easy and hilarious read that will appeal to young kids! It’s the first of the series and goes on many hilarious adventures like The Dinasour that Pooped a Planet and the The Dinosaur that Pooped the Princess and many more.

10. Little Kids First Big Book of Dinosaurs – National Geographic

The Little Kids First Big Book of Dinosaurs is a colorful, informative, and interactive book for kids ages 3-6. The introduction explains the different types of dinosaurs, from plant-eating sauropods to meat-eating raptors to sea creatures like plesiosaurs and mosasaurs. You’ll also learn about how scientists study fossils, what they can tell us about dinosaur behavior, and what it’s like to be a paleontologist.

This big book is loaded with illustrations; there are over 500 images in total! Some pages have large color photographs of dinosaurs; others have smaller photos with captions that explain why these particular dinosaur fossils were important discoveries. There are also cutout pages so you can look inside a clawed hand from an Allosaurus or a T-Rex skull—and even fold out one page into a full view of Tyrannosaurus rex!

11. Dear Dinosaur – Chae Strithe and Nicola O’Byrne

Dear Dinosaur is a cute book that’s perfect for young dinosaur lovers. The story follows a baby dinosaur who writes letters to his mom, telling her about everything he’s doing. The book is funny and teaches kids how to write their own letters while learning about dinosaurs. It’s also an excellent way to teach kids about writing and reading!

12. If I had a dinosaur – Alex Barrow & Gabby Dawnay

If I had a dinosaur is a story about a young girl who dreams of owning her own dinosaur. She asks her father if he could bring home a real-life dinosaur, but he tells her that dinosaurs are extinct. The little girl is sad, but then she thinks about all the fun things she could do with the pet dinosaurs that are still around! Fun and delightful story.

13. Ten Minutes to Bed Little Dinosaur – Rhiannon Fielding & Chris Chatterton

This book is fantastic from the “Ten Minutes to Bed” series. Rumble, the dinosaur, doesn’t feel like sleeping yet, and through his mother’s countdown, he has fun, splashes around, and even sees a volcano explode! This one is great for dinosaur-crazy toddlers, and the illustrations are vibrant and fantastic. If you’d like to see other bedtime books, check out this list that you might enjoy.

14. Usborne My Very First Dinosaur Book

My Very First Dinosaur Book is a lift-the-flap book with many fun facts about dinosaurs! The illustrations by Steve Jenkins are beautiful, and there are many interesting tidbits to read. The book is written in a friendly tone, so it’s easy for young children to read on their own or with an adult.

This book would be great for kids who love dinosaurs because there’s so much information packed into 32 pages! It covers all the basics: how long they lived; what they ate; what they looked like (and not just as adults); where they lived; and more!

15. Brontorina – James Howe & Randy Cecil

It all began with a dream: Brontorina wanted to dance. She was a ballerina at heart – but was she too big to be an actual ballerina? This is a lovely story about accepting differences shows that more important than what you may look like, if you believe in yourself and others fighting for your dreams, they may just come true.

Of all the ballet picture books we’ve read, this might be one of the most unique. Check out more ballet books here.

16. The Girl and the Dinosaur – Holly Hughes and Sarah Massini

Marianne lives in a seaside village and loves to search and dig at the beach, searching for dinosaur bones to build a friend. One night, she wishes for her dinosaur to come to life, and together they visit the dreamy land of the dinosaurs, where children with dinosaurs meet and spend time together in their dreams. What I love most about this book are the beautiful illustrations that make it so special and unique. Just lovely.

17. Harry and the Dinosaurs Series – Ian Whybrow & Adrian Reynolds

These are the classic stories of Harry and his bucketful of dinosaurs. His imagination brings them to life and together they live countless adventures. The series is wonderful and much fun for little dinosaur lovers. 

These are some of the most popular books in the series:

• Harry and his Bucketful of Dinosaurs. This is the first of the series and it explains how Harry discovers his bucketful of dinosaurs.
• Harry and the Dinosaurs at the Museum. When he goes to the museum they go on a fantastic adventure.
• Harry and the Dinosaurs go to school. The dinosaurs go with Harry to school but he must leave them outside the classroom, until he realises that they can all go in and have a great day.
• Harry and the Dinosaurs have a Happy Birthday

18. Dinosaur A to Z Picturebook – Dustin Growick

The Dinosaur A to Z Picturebook is a must-have for young dinosaur lovers. It features the most famous dinosaurs from the Jurassic, Cretaceous, and Triassic periods, including T-Rex, Stegosaurus, and Apatosaurus. The book also includes fun facts about each dinosaur.

It’s great for kids who want to learn more about their favorite prehistoric creatures without getting too technical or scientific about it. It’s also perfect for parents who want something different than all of those dull textbooks/encyclopedias!

19. My Little Golden Book About Dinosaurs

My Little Golden Book About Dinosaurs is one of the all-time greats, and it’s a classic. It’s small enough that your child can carry it around, which makes it perfect for reading at bedtime or anytime. The pictures are beautiful and colorful but not so detailed or realistic that they might scare younger kids. So if you want to give your dinosaur-loving kiddo some good quality reading material-this is an excellent choice!

20. How Do Dinosaurs Clean their Rooms? – Jane Yoken and Mark Teague

How Do Dinosaurs Clean Their Rooms? is a fun story about dinosaurs learning how to clean their rooms. This book is excellent for younger children and suitable for parents of young children who are just starting to read independently. It’s a classic book with colorful and engaging illustrations , which can help keep kids interested in reading through the story. In addition, it’s an easy read!

There are many different types of dinosaurs in this book, so if you have a child who loves dinosaur books or toys but doesn’t know much about them yet, this could be a great place to start introducing them to some of the more popular species like Stegosaurus and Triceratops.

21. Little People, Big Dreams: Mary Anning – Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and Popy Matigot

Mary Anning was a fantastic fossil hunter who discovered the first complete Ichthyosaur skeleton in Dorset. She also collected and studied fossils, making her one of the first people to study dinosaurs in England. She was a self-taught scientist collecting and studying fossils in Lyme Regis, Dorset, from a very early age.

22. DK First Dinosaur Encyclopedia

The DK First Dinosaur Encyclopedia is a must-have for any dinosaur lover. This colorful book explores the lives of these fascinating creatures, explaining how they lived, what they ate, and their behavior. It also includes information on all of the major dinosaur groups and some lesser-known types. Fantastic as a first reference book for dinosaur enthusiasts.

23. Usborne First Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Life

This book is an excellent way to introduce your child to dinosaurs. This encyclopedia has over 500 stunning full-color illustrations that depict the different periods of the Mesozoic Era and all major dinosaur species, including:

• Theropods (meat-eating dinosaurs)
• Sauropods (long-necked herbivores)
• Ornithopods (bird-footed plant eaters)

The book explains how these giant creatures lived, from their skin to their senses. It also explores how they became extinct, introducing children to paleontology.

24. Katie and the Dinosaurs – James Mayhew

This is a fun story about Katie and her best friend, a dinosaur called Rex. Katie finds an egg in the woods and takes it home to keep warm. When the egg hatches, out comes a baby dinosaur named Rex! The two become great friends and adventure together through many different lands until one day when Rex gets lost in the jungle. Will he be able to find his way back? This book is perfect for children who love dinosaurs!

25. DK Eyewitness Dinosaur – DK

The DK Eyewitness Dinosaur book is an excellent choice for kids who are interested in dinosaurs. It has a lot of information about the different types of dinosaurs and good pictures. Visit the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods and enjoy reading and learning about all the prehistoric creatures that lived during those times. This book would be perfect for kids who are intrested in digging in and learning more about dinosaurs.

26. Dinosaur Lady: The Daring Discoveries of Mary Anning, the First Paleontologist – Linda Skeers and Marta Álvarez Miguéns

Dinosaur Lady is a beautifully illustrated picture book biography of Mary Anning, published in 2019. Mary Anning was the first woman to discover a complete skeleton of a dinosaur at around age 11. The book enlightens children about the discovery of dinosaurs and the importance of female contribution to science history. It includes a timeline of Mary’s life with lots of fantastic fossil facts and illustrations.

27. DK Knowledge Encyclopedia Dinosaur!

DK Knowledge Encyclopedia Dinosaur! is a fun and educational book for kids that teaches them all about dinosaurs. The images of 3D dinosaurs and all the details and facts from each one will help you learn in a visual way about all the fantastic creatures that roamed our planet millions of years ago.

This book is the perfect companion for those who want a more detailed and in-depth look at these prehistoric creatures and the land they lived in.

28. Usborne Dinosaurs Magic Painting Book

The Usborne Dinosaurs Magic Painting Book is an excellent way for kids to paint their own dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures. The kit comes with an easy-to-follow instruction book, two watercolor brushes, one water brush, and a paint palette. Once you have completed the drawing, use water on the lines, and the hidden colors under the lines will show beautifully!

After that, just let it dry! It’s perfect if you have little ones who love dinosaurs or if they want to see what they can do with their imagination. This book is also great for traveling or taking on hikes because it’s quick drying once you’re done painting!

29. Step-by-step Drawing Dinosaurs – Fiona Watt & Candice Whatmore

The Step-by-step Drawing Dinosaurs by Usborne is a fabulous book for children who love dinosaurs and would love to learn to draw them. This simple step-by-step book will teach them to draw different dinosaurs, from Triceratops to Tyrannosaurus, and hatching eggs. Using simple shapes as the base will guide them until they complete their drawings and are ready to share their creations.

30. How to Make Paper Dinosaurs – Mari Ono & Hiroki Takai

• First: Open up the book, and start reading.
• Step 2: Turn the page.
• Step 3: Make a paper dinosaur!

How to Make Paper Dinosaurs is a great book for kids who love dinosaurs or want to learn how to make paper dinosaurs. It’s easy to follow, with clear instructions and beautiful photos of finished projects that show what your creations should look like when you’re done.

This book we saw at the museum is on our wishlist; my little one is the one that loves dinosaurs but is a bit too young for it now. I can’t wait to try it in a couple of years!

31. How to Build LEGO Dinosaurs – by Jessica Farrell, Hannah Dolan, Nathan Dias

How to Build LEGO Dinosaurs is a fantastic book for Lego lovers. You can find 30 inspiring dinosaur and prehistoric creature ideas and learn how to make claws and teeth for all your dino creations. Each dinosaur idea is broken down into three, four, or five necessary building steps.And the difficulty keeps increasing as you go through the book. You can find the pieces to make these creations possible if you have basic building sets.

It’s a book ideal for beginners 7-9 years old or more experienced builders just looking for some inspiration, and it is excellent because it is filled with tips from LEGO expert builders that can teach techniques to all.

32. National Geographic Kids Dinos Sticker Activity Book: Over 1,000 Stickers!

We’ve enjoyed a couple of these books over the years, Dinos, Cats and Super Space. Both my children love them. They are very educational, filled with facts, and there is just so much to learn. They come with more than 1,000 stickers which is an insane amount. Many are extra that can be used outside the book or to decorate whatever they might like. It is packed with fun activities to keep them entertained for hours – like coloring sheets and mazes.

I’d say it is excellent to take on travels and enjoy during rainy days indoors. There are many more books in this collection like dogs, ocean animals, and many more. I believe it is a fantastic gift to learn while having fun!

33. Janod Magnetibook Dinosaur Mix & Match

This is not technically a book, but it’s close enough. My children love these Janod Magnetibooks; I just had to share them with you. Each dinosaur is broken down into four different pieces, and you can match them to make the dinosaurs on the cards (T-Rex, Triceratops, and the whole gang), or they can go creative and make up prehistoric creatures that you would love that once existed outside their imaginations. It’s a fun and engaging activity for little ones and great for travel.