The Best Dinosaur Picture Books for Toddlers (That Adults Enjoy Too)

We've all been there. You ask your toddler which book they want to read and they gleefully pull out the most annoying book on the shelf.

It's usually a dinosaur book. You've already read twice today, and the thought of reading it again makes you feel as though your brain will turn to mush. (T-Rex Shaves the Day comes to mind here.)

But over the last [dino-loving] year with my toddler, I've found a few dinosaur books that we both enjoy! They're fun, engaging, and provide an opportunity for meaningful conversations!

1. "How Do Dinosaurs" Book Series by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague

 

We first picked up one of these books at a little bookstore near Keystone, CO last year when we were on vacation. And we loved it so much that we were searching for more on Amazon the next day!

What We Love About this Series:

• The books are short. (praise)
• Each book focuses on social emotional learning in an every day situation, like making friends, going to bed, or being angry.
• The dinosaur names are hidden on the beautifully illustrated pages, and we have fun searching for them!

We're particularly fond of "How Do Dinosaurs Say 'I'm Mad'?" and "How Does a Dinosaur Say Goodnight", but we've enjoyed them all!

Shop the "How Do Dinosaurs" Series Here

2. "Dinotopia" by James Gurney

 

 

This book is definitely designed for older kids, but my 3 year old and I are working our way through it at night and really enjoying it.

Geared for older readers, Dinotopia is about a Father and son who are carried by a dolphin during a storm to a lost island, where dinosaurs and humans live side-by-side.

It's a lengthy book, with journal entries acting as chapters and beautiful sketches of the sights father & son see on the island.

• There are SO MANY incredible dinosaur drawings in this fantasy book - from a cross-cut of a dino egg, to a visual map of a dinosaur hatchery. My daughter and I have both been captivated by the art. She spent 20mins just flipping through some of the pages.
• The advanced reading level. You'll have to modify it here and there, but it's provided a lot of opportunities to explain new words and work on higher level reading comprehension.
• It's an interesting read for BOTH of us.

There's a Whole Series, but We Started with This Book

3. "Tyrannosaurus Hex" by Mr. Jay and Gary Wilkinson

 

A short, easy read about a dinosaur, Anda, who has a day full of bad luck. My little one enjoys the end, when the main character's friend, Bull, helps Anda realize most of the "bad" things that happened to her were just opportunities for something good.

• It's a short read. (Praise!) Perfect for those nights when your child wants to read 2 books.
• It's a great story to refer back to when your child is disappointed about something they can't do or a change in plans.

You can find the book here!

 

4. "The Dinosaur Who Discovered Hamburgers" by Adrian Beck

 

If you don't get any other books on this list, get this one! It's an imaginative, whimsical, and humorous tale about a dinosaur, named Scout, who goes on a journey to discover a new food.

 

My toddler loved it so much that she insisted we have hamburgers for dinner the first night we read it. She even brought the book into the kitchen so she could stack a hamburger for her dad the same way Scout stacked his hamburger in the book.

 

Why we love it...

• Fun, whimsical, and easy to follow plot
• You can read this book every day for a week without wanting to sneak it into the trash
• The illustrations are engaging and fun

 

You can find The Dinosaur Who Discovered Hamburgers Here

 

Why Choose Dinosaur Picture Books for Toddlers?

Chances are, your little one already loves reading books with you. But if you're looking to engage them even more in independent book time, adding picture books to your library that match their obsessions is a great way to do that.

I put these little books on an easily accessible shelf, and my toddler happily grabs one off and thumbs through it happily. Not only is it great for her development, but it's an opportunity for me to get a few things done while she's preoccupied!

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Remember, these books are just a click away, making it super easy to bring these prehistoric adventures right to your living room. Check them out and let the dinosaur discovery begin!