Dinosaur Day Booklist

Dinosaur Day is on the 1st of June and we at Pageticker think there is no better way to celebrate than with a dinosaur book in hand! From roaring adventures and laugh-out-loud picture books to fascinating fossil facts and prehistoric discoveries, dinosaur stories have a special way of capturing children’s imaginations and inspiring a love of reading.

Whether your child is just starting their reading journey or already racing through chapter books, there is a dinosaur story for every age and stage. Dinosaurs encourage curiosity, spark questions about the natural world, and open the door to exciting conversations about science, history, and imagination.

To help schools, teachers, and families celebrate Dinosaur Day, we’ve put together a collection of our favourite dinosaur-themed books for Early Years, Key Stage 1, and Key Stage 2 readers. So grab your explorer hat, prepare for some prehistoric adventures, and discover a few brilliant books to enjoy this Dinosaur Day!

For Early Year Readers (ages 3-5)

Dinosnores by Sandra Boynton

A group of dinosaurs settles down for the night in this funny bedtime story filled with snores, yawns, and cosy chaos. The bouncy rhymes and cheerful illustrations make it perfect for reading aloud before bed.

Hello, Dino! by Liesbet Slegers

This gentle board book introduces a friendly dinosaur through simple words and bright, bold pictures. Young children will enjoy pointing out colours, expressions, and familiar actions as they read along.

Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs by Ian Whybrow and Adrian Reynolds

Harry never goes anywhere without his beloved toy dinosaurs, who seem to come alive through his imagination. Full of warmth and gentle humour, the story captures the comfort children find in treasured toys and make-believe adventures.

Dinosaur Roar! by Paul and Henrietta Stickland

Using playful opposites like noisy and quiet or fierce and gentle, this classic picture book introduces a whole cast of colourful dinosaurs. The rhythmic text makes it especially fun to share together.

Have You Seen My Invisible Dinosaur? by Helen Yoon

A child insists their invisible dinosaur is real, even if nobody else can spot it. The story celebrates imagination in a wonderfully silly way and invites readers to join the hunt for the missing dinosaur.

For Key Stage 1 Readers (ages 5-7)

Dinosaurs Before Dark by Mary Pope Osborne and Sal Murdocca

When Jack and Annie discover a mysterious tree house, they are whisked back to the time of the dinosaurs. Packed with danger, excitement, and just enough facts to spark curiosity, it’s an ideal first chapter book.

The Usborne Big Book of Big Dinosaurs by Alex Frith and Fabiano Fiorin

Huge fold-out pages reveal gigantic dinosaurs in incredible detail, giving readers a real sense of their size and strength. Short chunks of information and dramatic artwork make it easy to dip in and explore.

The Bone Wars: The True Story of an Epic Battle to Find Dinosaur Fossils by Jane Kurtz and Alexander Vidal

This fascinating true story follows two rival fossil hunters competing to uncover new dinosaur discoveries. Alongside the drama and rivalry, readers learn how early palaeontologists helped shape what we know about dinosaurs today.

Dictionary of Dinosaurs by Dr. Matthew G. Baron, Dieter Braun

Filled with detailed artwork and up-to-date facts, this guide introduces a wide range of dinosaur species from A to Z. It’s a great choice for children who love dipping into facts and discovering unusual prehistoric creatures.

Dinos Don't Meditate by Catherine Bailey, Alex Willmore

A lively little dinosaur finds it nearly impossible to stay calm and focused during meditation practice. Funny illustrations and relatable moments help introduce mindfulness in a light-hearted and accessible way.

For Key Stage 2 Readers (ages 7-11)

Rampage of the Hungry Giants: Dinosaur Cove by Rex Stone

Tom and Jamie return to Dinosaur Cove for another thrilling prehistoric adventure, this time facing some seriously hungry predators. Fast-moving action and cliffhanger moments make it especially appealing to confident young readers.

The Oodlethunks: Steg-O-Normous by Adele Griffin and Mike Wu

When a young boy discovers a real stegosaurus, his ordinary life suddenly becomes much more exciting — and complicated. Blending humour, friendship, and adventure, the story has the feel of an animated film on the page.

The Lonely Planet Kids: The Dinosaur Book

This colourful nonfiction title explores the prehistoric world through maps, timelines, fascinating facts, and eye-catching illustrations. It covers everything from famous dinosaurs to fossils and extinction in a way that feels lively and approachable.

Everything You Know About Dinosaurs is Wrong! by Dr Nick Crumpton and Gavin Scott

This entertaining guide challenges old ideas about dinosaurs and reveals how new discoveries are changing what scientists believe. Full of surprising facts and humour, it encourages readers to think like real scientists.

The Clues Are in the Poo: The Story of Dinosaur Scientist Karen Chin by Karen Chin, Francisco Riobolos

This unusual and engaging book introduces readers to palaeontologist Karen Chin, whose research focuses on fossilised dinosaur droppings. It shows how even the messiest clues can help scientists uncover secrets about prehistoric life.

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