Dinosaurs at the Library! – paulspreshistoricpark.com

On November 23^rd, Delores del Rio Dilophosaurus & I made a “Dinosaur Fun Facts & Fiction Presentation” followed by a “How to Draw Dinosaurs Activity” at the EP Foster Library in Ventura. Even with the rain that morning, we had a good turnout. I listed a number of Dinosaurs on a whiteboard and asked for a show of hands for favorites. T-Rex still wins hands up! We talked about Pterosaurs not being Dinosaurs, but flying reptiles. Cousins from a different part of the Family Tree. Plus, the Dimetrodon – often included with dinosaur toys. However, Dimetrodons lived during the Permian Period 299 – 252 Million Years Ago. Sixty Million Years before the first Dinosaurs appeared on Earth. Also, Dimetrodons are Synapsids early or pre-mammals. Not Reptiles. But they share a common ancestor with Reptiles – Amniotes.

I introduce the kids & parents to a few lesser-known Dinosaurs with my Giant Book “Dinosaurs” by Steve Brusatte. We had fun with a very informative pop-up book “Encyclopedia Prehistorica Dinosaurs” by Robert Sabuda & Matthew Reinhart. I even read a couple of books that I have written that need some revisions “Is a Metal Dinosaur the Right Pet for You?” and the “Shy Triceratops”. We discussed the differences between Movie Dinosaurs and those that lived Millions of Years Ago with Delores del Rio Dilophosaurus sharing her shopping tips at Pamela’s Pavilion for the Pampered Prehistoric! We drew a couple of Dinosaurs and the kids shared their artwork. Notice the parents were drawing too! Since Thanksgiving was the following week, I displayed my watercolor of a Thanksgiving Raptor.

Stay Tuned for More Dinosaur Fun Facts, Fiction & Crafts!

Consider a Membership with the Museum. In addition to Supporting Their Valuable Work there are Benefits to You. Special Preview Events for Members Only as well as Virtual Access Exclusive for Members. Below are 3 of my favorites Museums. For more information and access to general public eLearning check out the links below.

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County www.nhm.org under Research & Collections / Digitized Collections will allow you to browse their Collections. Check out the latest Activities on their site. Look for Gnatalie the Green Dinosaur!

The American Natural History Museum www.amnh.org You will find eLearning for Families, Students & Educators. Explore the Museum Virtually. Check Out SciCafe: Video Talks and Meet the Icons: Stories behind the Exhibits! There are Video Series covering Behind the Scenes at the Museum with Space & Dinosaur Explainers.

Chicago’s Field Museum www.fieldmuseum.org You can talk to “Maximo the Titanosaur” online, Yes Really! Visit Sue the largest T-Rex discovered! Check Out “Brain Scoop” and the Learning Resources – many are also in Spanish.

Check Out Your Libraries eBooks. My local Library has over 900 eBooks on Dinosaurs! Here are four books for Drawing Dinosaurs that you might find at your Library. Ask your Librarian about others.

1-2-3 Draw Dinosaurs and other Prehistoric Animals A step by step guide by Freddie Levin (2001)

Draw 50 Dinosaurs and other Prehistoric Animals by Lee J. Ames (1977)

Draw it Dinosaurs by Patricia Walsh (2006)

I Can Draw Dinosaurs by Terry Longhurst (2003)