Kevin & I arrived about ½ hour early to get setup for the reading. It didn’t take long for the first to arrive. Daniel & his sister posed for a picture with Kevin. Shortly after it was like a herd of Dinosaurs as 72 parents & kids found their places in the Pirate Ship in the City of Camarillo Library. There were Dinosaur fans from Stem to Stern. I’m glad I brought a 30 quart container of Raptor Eggs to feed them. Raptor Eggs look and taste remarkably like avocados. Yes, Really!
After Susan Gardner, Library Associate made the introductions we started with Steve Brusetta’s Giant “Dinosaur” book. It was great to check out a few of our favorite dinosaurs. The illustrations are beautiful. Since everyone loves T-Rex, I introduced the group to Tarbosaurus a very close relative to T-Rex found in Asia. Tarbosaurus fossils are very common in Mongolia and China. Pterodactyl was one young lady’s favorite. Which prompted an earlier discussion that Pterosaurs are not Dinosaurs but relatives on a different branch of the family tree.
I read two of my books “Is a Metal Dinosaur the Right Pet for You?” (Kevin’s Favorite) to introduce PaulsPrehistoricPark.com to the group and assist in explaining Activities at the Park. My book “The Shy Triceratop” was also enjoyed by the group along with “Goldi Locks and the Three Dinosaurs” by Mo Willems and “Edwina the Dinosaur that Didn’t Know She was Extinct” by Mo Willems. The books were a hit with the crowd. As the participants collected their raptor eggs, I chatted with Parents and their Dinosaur Kids. A young man named Alexander a second grader with lots of Dinosaur questions attended with his friend Kyle. Thanks to Kyle’s Mom Carla. As I suspected when the crowd cleared there were just a handful of Raptor Eggs left for the Library Staff.
Susan Gardner and the Library Team were fantastic in promoting the event and creating the wonderful poster and flyers. Kevin & I are thrilled to be on the front page of the Newsletter. The crowd was great and we look forward to a return visit.
The Library is an amazing resource for studying Dinosaurs and other Prehistoric Animals. They have DVDs you can check out too! I have created a list of some of my favorite books and some that may be noteworthy for you regarding our Prehistoric Pals.
Books
The Most Recent Copyright Date or Edition Date is very help in determining how current the information you are getting. Since Scientists are always learning from new discoveries, their assumptions regarding how Prehistoric Animals lived often change. I’ve had great success finding books in new condition on Amazon.com for reasonable prices and often with Free Shipping.
Dinosaurs by Steve Brusatte – 2008 (new edition 2010)
(Available at The City of Camarillo Public Library)
Dinosaurs is a HUGE Book! (17” X 14”) with a Spinosaurus on the cover. The City of Camarillo Public Library has this one. It doesn’t fit on the regular self. Check with the Reference Librarian upstairs to locate it in the Oversize Book Stack. Excellent illustrations & Great Information. I purchased the smaller 2010 edition (14” X 12”) on Amazon.com, which has a T-Rex on the cover. The content is the same just in a more manageable size (and price).
Prehistoric Predators by Brian Switek illustrated by Julius Csotonyi – 2015
Although recommended for ages 6-8, I believe it would be a nice addition to anyone’s collection. I purchased it! The cover is textured like dinosaur skin and the illustrations and content are great!
Discovering Dinosaurs by Bob Walters & Tess Kissinger (2014)
Wonderful book! Also, a textured cover. Nearly 150 dinosaurs are covered, the time periods they lived, what we know about them, colors and patterns. Great information and illustrations! Zuniceratops was discovered by an eight-year old boy in New Mexico. It shows you contributions to the field can be made at any age.
The Dinotopia series of books by James Gurney provide Wonderful Stories about a Lost Continent where Dinosaurs still roam. Not only do they still live, but they communicate, live and work side by side with humans! The stories are fantastic. But James’s attention to details for living environments and equipment used by humans and dinosaurs is amazing. His artwork is beautiful bringing this World to Life.
Dinotopia: Land Apart from Time – 1992
(Available at The City of Camarillo Public Library)
Introduction to the World and characters with an Adventure to Entertain All.
Dinotopia: The World Beneath – 1995
(Available at The City of Camarillo Public Library)
This story picks up where the first book ends for another Exciting Adventure.
Dinotopia: First Flight – 1999 (20th Anniversary Edition 2014)
An Adventure from the history of Dinotopia with the first person to ride a Giant Pterosaur known as Skybax and saves Dinotopia from the Empire of Poseidos. The 20th Anniversary Edition includes a bonus of 45 new images, including never-before-published storyboards, concept sketches, production paintings, plus new characters, stories and backstories from James Gurney’s creative archives.
Dinotopia: Journey to Chandara – 2007 (New Expanded Edition 2017)
Another Wonderful Adventure in the World of Dinotopia. The incredible artwork – paintings and detailed drawings – keep you completely immersed in this World. The Expanded Edition includes a behind-the-scenes featurette filled with rare insights from the author/illustrator.
Encyclopedia Prehistorica Dinosaurs by Robert Sabuda & Matthew Reinhart (2005)
(*Available at The City of Camarillo Public Library)
This is a Wonderful pop-up book. *Due to the delicate nature of the pop-up portions it is not on the book shelf. Check with the Librarian for conditions to view it. You may wish to purchase one. I found mine on Amazon new for $22.99. The content is very informative and the pop-ups are not just fun but very beautifully done.
Dinosaurs The Grand Tour by Keiron Pim (with field notes by Jack Horner) (2013)
(Available at The City of Camarillo Public Library)
Truly an “A to Z” listing of Dinosaurs and a few relatives in the family tree. More than 300! Each one is listed with the time period it lived, eating preference, location fossils where discovered, size, what we know or believe based on information at time of printing and many with artist’s drawings. Interesting history about the people making these discoveries and “Field Notes” by Jack Horner, World-Renowned Paleontologists are a bonus! Keiron has quizzes to test your knowledge on the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods! A Glossary and Further Reading suggestions are also provided. A Great Book! The further reading will keep me busy for quite a well.
Pterosaurs by Mark P. Witton (2013)
(Available at The City of Camarillo Public Library)
A fantastic book on Pterosaurs 291 pages. When I reached page 100, I ordered one on Amazon.com for myself. The diagrams are great – their bone structure, positions for how they launched into flight, walked and could run on all 4’s! These illustrations will be invaluable for designing Metal Pterosaurs for the Park. Each of chapters 10 – 25 provides detailed information on a particular type of Pterosaur. I never knew there was such a wide diversity. Pterosaurs were more muscular than typically depicted and better flyers than originally thought. Pterosaur eggs were soft and probably buried like reptiles. Fossil eggs studies suggest the babies could most likely fly as soon as they hatched! This book is definitely an incredible resource for me.
Videos
I always check the release date on a DVD/Blu-Ray prior to check out or purchase. There are many new discoveries every day. Scientist often uncover facts from new fossils that change what they thought they knew. Although an older movie may still be enjoyable to watch, the theories scientists had at the time regarding certain Prehistoric Animals could have changed greatly.
Walking with Dinosaurs – 2014
20th Century Fox (Available at The City of Camarillo Public Library)
A fun movie following the adventures of a Pachyrhinosaurus (Centrosaurus) from birth to adulthood. His Family and friends he meets during their migrations and the dangers of the feared Gorgosaurus (Albertosaurus) that threaten the herd. During the movie when a new dinosaur is introduced, it pauses to provide the name and description of the type of dinosaur then continues with the story. A nice feature for those learning about new dinosaurs and a brief refresher for the more experienced. All ages and parents can enjoy this feature.
National Geographic: Sky Monsters – 2006
Digital Animation has made significant advancements since the release of this movie. However, it does provide a good history on Pterosaurs. Why they are Not Dinosaurs and where they land in the Family Tree. The experiment to recreate how they flew would be interesting for Middle School and Up. Although there are probably some serious young scientists in Elementary School that would benefit from the study.
National Geographic: Really Wild Animals and other Dinosaur Creature Features – 2005
(Available at The City of Camarillo Public Library)
Entertaining program for Middle School and Younger. Good information and quizzes. Humor that could keep parents in the room. If they are not too grossed out by some of the creature features.
Reading Rainbow: Digging Up Dinosaurs – 2003 DVD (based on content original program probably much older)
Hosted by LeVar Burton (Available at The City of Camarillo Public Library)
Elementary School and Younger can enjoy the Featured Book – “Digging Up Dinosaurs” by Aliki. Easy to understand explanation for finding and studying fossils. Very cute illustrations. LeVar takes us to the Zoo to compare modern animals to dinosaurs and Dinosaur National Monument. Dinosaur bones are exposed in the rock so you can see them right where they were found. Definitely a place to plan a vacation. The video also features kids providing book reviews.
Bill Nye the Science Guy: Fossils – 2004? (2013)
(Available at The City of Camarillo Public Library)
Amusing, silly manner to explain how fossils are created, where they are found and how they can be used to determine the appearance of the animal when it was alive.
Bill Nye the Science Guy: Dinosaurs – 2005 (2014)
(Available at The City of Camarillo Public Library)
Entertaining, silly method to discuss the discovering dinosaur fossils and what they tell us about the Dinosaurs that left them behind.
Dinosaur Eggs & Babies – 2002
(Available at The City of Camarillo Public Library)
A very good video covering Dinosaur eggs, nests, the bird connection and a trip to Dinosaur Island in the Four Corners area of the American Southwest! Interviews with paleontologists including Dr. Luis Chiappe of The Dinosaur Institute at the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles County. A Dinosaur Nesting Site over 15 miles long is located! Even fossil baby dinosaurs still in the eggs revealing their skin. Many other exciting discoveries and theories are included.
Eyewitness DVD: Prehistoric Life – 1996
(Available at The City of Camarillo Public Library)
Covers the beginning of life on Earth. Evolution of the many species of life to present. Dinosaurs are covered with many other early animals.
Eyewitness DVD: Dinosaur – 1994
(Available at The City of Camarillo Public Library)
Good coverage of History of Paleontologists. Very well done, but somewhat dated.
If You have Pictures from “Family Story Time” You would like to See Here send them to Me.
Share Your Favorite Dinosaur Books & Movies Too! Respond below or email me paul@paulsprehistoricpark.com
Looking Forward to Hearing from You!
“Encouraging the Appreciation of Art and Education through the Inspiration of Dinosaurs”
Paul & Prehistoric Pals
Your feedback is appreciated, Thank you!