The Best Books About Dinosaurs

Paleontologist Steve Brusatte enchanted readers with his definitive history of the dinosaurs. Now, Brusatte explores the remarkable story of the family of animals that inherited the Earth — mammals — and brilliantly reveals that their story is every bit as fascinating and complex as that of the dinosaurs.

What can we say? When it comes to dinosaurs, Brusatte knows his stuff! So much so, that he is even the consultant for the Jurassic Park movies, among many, many other things. His 2018 book, The Rise and Fall of Dinosaurs, was geared toward adults. The Age of the Dinosaurs is an in-depth history for the young dinosaur lovers, or dinosaur-lovers-to-be, to fill them with every morsel of knowledge they need to know about dinosaurs, in the classroom or just for fun.

Obviously! Crichton’s bestselling novel is a must-read, not only for dinosaur enthusiasts, but for science fiction aficionados in general. It’s both a gripping page-turner and a mind-blowing meditation on the ethics of science. You won’t be able to put it down, and the issues Crichton raises will stick with you for years.

If you have ever had the pleasure of reading Switek’s blog Laelaps, you’re already familiar with his unique take on dinosaurs. My Beloved Brontosaurus is his most recent book, and it’s a must-read for anyone interested in the brave, new world of 21st-century paleontology.

This story of a utopian civilization shared by dinosaurs and humans has been a classic for over two decades. Worth it for the elegant illustrations alone!

One of the most popular tropes in dinosaur fiction is the idea of a dinosaur spacefaring civilization. The absolute apex of this genre is O’Malley’s fantastic Captain Raptor of planet Jurassica, an intrepid commander who leads a ragtag team of dinosaurs on outer space adventures. The gorgeous artwork of illustrator Patrick O’Brien adds so much life to this vibrant fantasy universe.

Jack Horner is a giant in the world of paleontology—he was, for example, the main inspiration for Dr. Alan Grant of Jurassic Park. 20 years after the movie, Horner continues to generate incredible ideas, including the notion of reverse engineering dinosaurs by using the atavistic genes of their descendants: birds. A must-read for anyone interested in the genetic side of paleontology, or anyone who has simply yearned to have their own pet dinosaur one day.

This elegant pop-up book will delight readers of all ages. From wandering 3D sauropods to a T-Rex poised to spring right out of the pages, the meticulous craftsmanship of this encyclopedia is sure to captivate dinophiles of every feather.