Smithsonian: The Dinosaur Book

Everything you need to know about dinosaurs, pterosaurs, marine reptiles, and mammals in this essential prehistoric encyclopedia for kids.

With more than 1,000 images and fascinating facts, The Dinosaur Book brings young readers face-to-face with some of the most incredible creatures ever to exist. Using a range of full-color images, including spectacular fossilized bones and realistic digital reconstructions, all forms of prehistoric life are covered. Young readers can also find out about the latest scientific discoveries that have changed the way we see these prehistoric animals–from new feathered dinosaurs to how and where

Table of Contents

Foreword 6
Timeline of life 8
Changing planet 10
Types of fossils 12
Fossil finds 14
Origin of life 16
Game-changers 18
Evolution and extinction 20
The vertebrates 22
What is a dinosaur? 24
Inside a dinosaur 26
Before the dinosaurs 28
The age of dinosaurs 58
Dinosaurs take flight 130
Pterosaurs 146
The marine world 156
The rise of mammals 168
Glossary 200
Index 204
Acknowledgments 208