Parents' Guide to Dinosaurs: Exploring Prehistoric Life and Geological Time

Dinosaurs book cover: In earthy tones, nearly 20 prehistoric animals (plus 3 volcanoes) grace the space around the title and lengthy subtitle

Common Sense Media Review

Susan Faust By Susan Faust , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 10+

Great art, sweeping history of prehistoric life on Earth.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 10+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

What's the Story?

The evolution of plants and animals from prehistoric times through the rise of humans is the subject of DINOSAURS: EXPLORING PREHISTORIC LIFE AND GEOLOGICAL TIME. Beyond the familiar T. Rex and Stegosaurus, many less familiar dinosaurs are introduced. Their context is well-developed, covering information and ideas about tectonic plates, geologic time zones, the changing atmosphere and climate, extinction events, and scientific discoveries. Also included are fun facts about unfamiliar creatures including fish with lungs and others with feet. Back matter includes sources and resources, acknowledgements, and an index.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say : Not yet rated

With a focus on dinosaurs, this sweeping, beautifully-illustrated history traces the evolution of life on our ever-changing planet. Spanning 4.5 billion years, a dazzling array of information and ideas fills every page of Dinosaurs: Exploring Prehistoric Life and Geological Time. Upper elementary age and middle school students wild about dinosaurs will learn so much more than just facts about the massive creatures. Rachel Ignotofsky's digital art is richly detailed and inviting. This grand compendium makes a complex subject accessible.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why people are so fascinated by dinosaurs like the ones in Dinosaurs: Exploring Prehistoric Life and Geological Time. What stood out to you the most as interesting? Why?

  • What do you think about the art in this book? Does the style work for the subject matter?

  • The book focuses on animals that are today extinct. What may have caused the extinction? Are there animals today threatened with extinction? Can you think of reasons why?

Book Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by

Dinosaurs book cover: In earthy tones, nearly 20 prehistoric animals (plus 3 volcanoes) grace the space around the title and lengthy subtitle

What to Read Next

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate