The Chick-o-saurus

by Kelly Crull

Genres: Picture Books, Dinosaurs, Nonfiction, Nature

32 pages, Library Binding

Published February 3, 2026

About the author

Kelly Crull is the author of a parenting book, Becoming Dad , a children's book, Clara Has a Baby Brother, and a parenting blog, spaindad.com, which was one of Google's top-ranked "baby blogs," syndicated by a number of online dad networks and featured as a link at Glamour.com. He has been featured as a new voice in parenting in various La Leche League newsletters, The Father Life magazine, AttachmentParenting.com and DIYFather.com. His parenting videos have appeared on Good Morning America, The Today Show, Slate.com, Marca.com and have received YouTube's "Top 50 Videos of the Week" award. Kelly is originally from Iowa. He lives with his wife and two children in Madrid, Spain.

Download a significant chunk of Kelly's most recent book, Becoming Dad, here as a free ebook.

Reviews

[Louise M. Aamodt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Come play a guessing game and try to figure out which dinosaur is being described and revealed, one page turn at a time! This nonfiction picture book cleverly intertwines facts about different dinosaurs with facts about the final page-turning reveal. Bite-sized dinosaur facts enhance each page, and I always appreciate when authors take the time to share measurements in terms kids can understand, such as, "..as tall as a six-story building, longer than a basketball court, and as heavy as a space shuttle." The photos are great, as is the back matter with clever wordplay explaining the final surprise.

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first glance of the words on the back cover, “There’s a dinosaur loose in this book!” you know you’re in for something good. Young readers will love reading about various dinosaurs along the way, but the real fun comes in with the dinosaur that they meet at the end of this book. They’ll get hints along the way about what it might be, but they’ll certainly be surprised (and delighted!) when the “reveal” takes place. The hints in the art are masterfully done. Don’t let your dino-loving kiddo miss this one!

[Yashika Mody · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fun and informative book about dinosaurs - guaranteed to be a page-turner!! The page "THERE IS A DINOSAUR LOOSE IN THIS BOOK" will make kids squeal with delight and sheer anticipation! The text is simple and bite-sized, perfect for sharing interesting facts and nuggets with kids. The photos are detailed and specific and add to the action and tension in the book. There is fun backmatter explaining more about the link between chickens and dinosaurs. This is a must-have for any dinosaur lover and any classroom, and is sure to engage young readers!

[Jana Mattern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Calling all dinosaur lovers—this book is for you! Packed full of interesting facts and a multitude of dinosaur names, this book will delight young dino-lovers (like my son!). The clues leading up to the reveal will keep kids guessing, and then laughing out loud at the hilarious picture of the mystery dinosaur at the end. The 'Did You Know' section in the back of the book is fascinating, and kids will love learning more about our modern day dinosaurs.

[Laura De · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE CHICK-O-SAURUS is a fun, fact-filled nonfiction picture book with a delightful surprise ending. Each page blends dinosaur facts, photo clues, and an interactive guessing-game structure that invites young readers to discover what mysterious creature has hatched from a spotted egg. The informative back matter adds extra scientific context, making it a great extension for curious readers who want to learn more. Perfect for dino-lovers and especially great for engaging read-alouds!

[HELEN ZAX · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE CHICK-O-SAURUS is a fun-filled, action-packed picture book from National Geographic that is overflowing with interesting facts about many obscure dinosaurs. Kids will be amazed to learn that chickens are relatives of these giant, prehistoric beasts. End matter about the relationship between birds and dinosaurs is fascinating.

[Jessica Goecke · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun and hilarious read for dinosaur lovers! This will be a huge hit with readers who love high energy fact books (the Weird But True series comes to mind). The main text is dynamic and fun to read aloud, and the sidebars and back matter offer more in-depth dino info. Also, the reveal at the end is sure to make kids laugh...it made me laugh.

[Trenise. Ferreira · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a grown up Nat Geo Kid, I have to say -- I LOVE this book! It's such a fun exploration of kids of how chickens and dinosaurs are more related than kids. might think! The art and the fun facts are engaging, and your kids will delight in learning about new -- and familiar -- dinos. And chickens! 5 stars all around!

[Claire Bobrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the format of this dinosaur book for young children. It has a fun horror movie vibe, packed with cool facts and cliffhangers that make for great page-turns. The close-up photo illustrations showcase key dino characteristics and will keep readers engaged. A great way for kids to learn about key features of certain dinosaur species and their connection to modern-day chickens.

[Lisa Varchol Varchol · Rating 5 out of 5]

A playful and informative book about a kid-favorite topic: dinosaurs! Each spread is delightfully dramatic, with tidbits of information about different dinosaurs shared in a fun and engaging way. Excellent back matter about how scientists came to recognize the connection between dinosaurs and birds!

[Carren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most of us know that birds and dinosaurs are related, but Kelly Crull makes great connections between the two with this fun book filled with dino-facts. Kids will enjoy learning cool facts about specific dinosaurs like the Argentinosaurus (as big as a basketball court) and the Diplodocus (tails as long as a school bus). The fun twist at the end gives parents and kids something to think about too!

[Alexandra MH · Rating 5 out of 5]

This highly entertaining read intersperses fun Dino facts with a mystery for kids to solve - guess which dinosaur is on the loose! This action-packed book ends in a surprising twist that will delight kids and adults. Chick-o-saurus will appeal to young Dino fans, animal lovers, and fun fact collectors.

[Chloe Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Chick-o-saurus is the perfect picture book for little dino lovers. I grabbed a copy for my Easter basket this year because I think the chicken-dinosaur connection works well. It’s fun to see the direct connections, eggs, claws, jaws etc. side by side. Plus, great facts and pronunciation guide at the back!

[Hayley · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting page turner for dino lovers! Chick-O-Saurus is jam packed with dinosaur facts and the final reveal made me giggle. I loved the fast pace throughout the book and appreciated the final page with scientific information about this creature (no spoilers here!) A must read for kiddos of all ages.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crull takes readers through discussion on what will hatch from the egg shown at the beginning. As it hatches, we see different parts of the being inside. Each page spread talks about a different type of dinosaur it could be based on what is seen coming out of the egg. Love the ending where it turns out to be a rooster. The author includes informative text on the various dinosaurs at the end.

[Dazzle Ng · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious, fascinating, and such a fun read-aloud. Kids (and their grown-ups!) will enjoy the running suspense and easy-to-digest dino facts—especially that last “Did you know”. Action-packed and guaranteed to bring on the laughs... roars, and clucks!

[Jessica Milo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laugh-out-loud funny with eye-catching illustrations and photos used so cleverly to keep young readers guessing and turning the pages! With dinosaur facts sprinkled in throughout, this book is perfect for curious dino lovers looking for a fun read!!

[Jenna Elyse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kids will have FUN gathering at the rug for this read aloud. Plus, once the big reveal comes, the kids will want to read it AGAIN to search for the clues that they missed. A perfect read for any classroom and any Dino or chicken loving kid!

[Amanda Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun and informative read that will get kids and grown ups excited to learn more about the relationship of chicken and dinosaur. Bright and bold text and images add to the exciting reveal at the end. Animal and dinosaur lovers alike will love this one!

[Kamilla Milligan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious!

This is a fun, fast-paced page-turner. Kids will keep guessing what dinosaur is in the egg, and learn a super-fun fact by the end of the book. Fun design keeps the story’s energy high. Great for dinosaur-lovers, animal-lovers, and for read-alouds.

[Analene Go · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kids will love this punchy, exciting read-aloud about a new hatchling – what will come out of the shell? Full of fun facts and photo clues will have young archeologists racing to the end of the book to find out what will emerge.

[Andrew Hacket · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sparse words, bold illustrations and informative text boxes guide you page by page through a guessing game to find who has hatched. The back matter adds another layer and does a superb job of explaining the connection between chickens and dinos. This is a perfect book for young dino-lovers!

[Callie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can you guess which dino hatched from the egg? A T. rex? A Diplodocus? An Apatosaurus?

Filled with zoomed-in photos of eyes, claws, and spikes, this engaging story will keep kids guessing until the very end. A short, fun intro to different dinosaur species from yesterday...and today...

[Moniza Hossain · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hilarious dinosaur book with a twist! The rhyming story makes for a fun read-aloud, while the art will keep the young reader guessing about the true identity of the dinosaur. The informative backmatter reveals some surprising links between dinosaurs and the humble rooster.

[Karen Gebbia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such Fun!
Whimsical art, dramatic reveals, and fabulous lesser-known dinosaur facts combine to create a seriously silly and exciting book about . . . read it for the big reveal! A great read for science-loving kids and dinosaur-loving kids!

[createitlibrarian (Amanda) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great addition to our dinosaur collection and a great non-fiction title to read in storytime! I'll definitely be using this book for Di-November AND this year's summer reading theme: "Unearth a Story"

[Alicia Meyers · Rating 5 out of 5]

My second-grade students are going to eat this UP! Anything dinosaur themed is always a smashing hit, but the big, bold font and fun facts in this book will keep you intrigued from page to page. That, plus a huge PLOT TWIST for kids--makes this book such a fun addition to any library.

[Tonnye Fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wild, exaggerated text and illustrations make this book engaging and fun for the most discriminating reader, and especially gargantuan excitement for the reader who is also a dinosaur-lover. Future farmers and paleontologists alike will find so much to enjoy here!

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think National Geographic has stumbled onto the formula for a most entertaining kids nonfiction book: fill it with humor + facts, colorful dinosaurs and suspense. This book was dino-mite!

Themes: dinosaurs, chickens
Ages: preK-3rd grade
Pub year: 2026

[Ann Koffsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun one! Great type design, fabulous images, and intiguing dino facts make this one your kids will be just compelled by. Roar!