The Best Children's Books About Dinosaurs

My three-year-old son is currently obsessed with dinosaurs. He plays with his dinosaur figurines every day, and his birthday party was dinosaur-themed. But since he's only three, reading him factual dinosaur books is too much for him to handle. The text is long, filled with scientific names and facts, and not compatible with his toddler attention span. However, there are lots of great children's books about dinosaurs that contain fun stories instead of facts. The following dinosaur books for kids are perfect for dinosaur-loving toddlers up to elementary-aged children. Each book is filled with colorful illustrations and engaging plots that feature dinosaurs as the main characters. Whether you check them out of your local library or give them as gifts, these kids books about dinosaurs are sure to be a hit.

That's Not My Dinosaur
This "touchy feely" board book is a wonderful addition to any preschooler's library. Each page features a different tactile experience, from bumpy ridges and rough surfaces to smooth, soft, and squishy pages. Six unique dinosaurs are shown as a little mouse tries to find his dinosaur. As he goes through each page, the texture of the dinosaur isn't quite right until the last page, when he finds his dinosaur, whose "spines are so soft." The board book format holds up to little hands, and the various fabrics are wonderful for small children to explore. This simple dinosaur book is sure to be a favorite of kids ages 1 to 4.

"How Do Dinosaurs . . . ?" Books
These books are a favorite at our house, and with over a dozen titles to choose from within this clever series, you can find the dinosaur book that's just right for your child. Each book features real dinosaur species, illustrated in colorful, cartoon-like fashion, interacting with human moms, dads, and kids. All of the books are semi-educational, either teaching simple facts like colors or values like playing well with friends or going to bed without a fight. For kids who love dinosaurs, an added bonus is that the proper name of each dino is hidden on every page for a fun scavenger hunt of sorts. Kids who love dinosaurs will be delighted with these books that relate to things they're going through in everyday life.

Danny and the Dinosaur
This classic "I Can Read" Level One book is a wonderful addition to any dinosaur-loving child's library. The simple text and fun illustrations (it was originally published in 1958) are a lot of fun for preschoolers and early elementary kids. Not only is this book fun, it's an excellent story for helping kids learn how to read. Follow Danny, who meets a dinosaur in the museum that comes to life and plays with him for a day. They have fun adventures as Danny rides him all over town, and kids will have fun imagining being with their own live prehistoric pal as they read this classic dinosaur book.

Gorgonzola: A Very Stinkysaurus
Not only is this book a funny read for young children, it also teaches a wonderful lesson about the importance of daily hygiene-something many young children eschew. The cleverly-named Gorgonzola is an orphaned dinosaur who never learned the importance of washing and brushing his teeth. He scares all of the other prehistoric creatures-not because he is the biggest or wildest, but because he stinks. But when a plucky bird breaks the news to him and takes him under her wing, he learns the importance of keeping clean and gains new friends and a happier life because of it. Kids will laugh at this over-the-top dinosaur book and be reminded of the importance of taking care of their own bodies.

Edwina, The Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct
This fantastic tale of a kindly dinosaur named Edwina who bakes chocolate chip cookies for the whole town is a favorite of all of my children. Kids will instantly be wrapped up in this fun story in which Edwina the dinosaur charms the whole town except one boy, Reginald Von Hoobie-Doobie. He is a realist who insists that Edwina is extinct since she is a dinosaur, but no one listens except Edwina herself. Yet, even though Reginald's evidence is undeniable and Edwina understands that she must be extinct, she simply doesn't care. Parents and children alike will laugh out loud at this fun story about being yourself no matter what anyone else thinks.