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Encyclopedia Prehistorica
Dinosaurios
A spectacular new pop-up masterpiece about dinosaurs from two best-selling creators! Featuring more than 35 stunning pop-ups and including fascinating, up-to-the-minute information about more than 50 different species, this is an awe-inspiring tribute to the world's most celebrated extinct animals and their 180-million-year reign of our planet.;With an array of fiendishly intricate pop-ups (large and small), this book is a work of inventive genius.;With expertly researched material, this title is both fun and educational.
16 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2005
6 people are currently reading
576 people want to read
About the author
Robert Sabuda
91 books160 followersRobert Sabuda is internationally acclaimed for his stunning pop-up books, including America the Beautiful and The 12 Days of Christmas. He is also the illustrator of Chanukah Lights by Michael J. Rosen. Robert Sabuda lives in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
December 9, 2025
Amazing pop up book all about dinosaurs!
There are so many layers to this book- literally, there are mini pop-ups hidden in the big ones!
This book is full of dinosaur facts, beautiful illustrations and insanely crafted pop up dinosaurs.
There is an actual art to these pop-ups. Even the movement of the paper unfurling into 3D is thought out. Like a little dinosaur skeleton opening up with its tail unfurling and coming to life, it's jaw opening, then closing as you fold down the pop-up. The tyranosaurus leaping out of the pages, its jaws agape and claws reaching out towards you when you open this book.
Crazy good work!
My only negative is that some of the facts about the dinosaurs were out of date, but considering this was made in 2005, I can excuse it lol.
There are so many layers to this book- literally, there are mini pop-ups hidden in the big ones!
This book is full of dinosaur facts, beautiful illustrations and insanely crafted pop up dinosaurs.
There is an actual art to these pop-ups. Even the movement of the paper unfurling into 3D is thought out. Like a little dinosaur skeleton opening up with its tail unfurling and coming to life, it's jaw opening, then closing as you fold down the pop-up. The tyranosaurus leaping out of the pages, its jaws agape and claws reaching out towards you when you open this book.
Crazy good work!
My only negative is that some of the facts about the dinosaurs were out of date, but considering this was made in 2005, I can excuse it lol.
January 28, 2011
Today I had some high school students making fun of pop up books. I decided to show them this book. I heard comments like, "that's intense, "pretty amazing," and "cool." My favorite comment, "Okay I was wrong, that pop up book is rad." The book is wonderful to use to illustrate the art of pop ups and kids always like dinosaur books, especially boys.
August 10, 2011
Not only is this book incredibly informative in spite of the lack of space for words in amongst all the pop-ups - explaining how our perceptions of dinosaurs have changed over the past century and since the days of Richard Owen, the distinction between bird-hipped and lizard-hipped dinosaurs and the three eras in which they lived, and the science of Palaeontology - but it is also a work of art! With over thirty-five intricate, colourful and (dare I say?) realistic pop-ups, justice is done to every suborder, introducing less commonly known species with room enough still for the "big hitters" (Tyrannosaurus Rex, Brachiosaurus, Triceratops......)
A delicate volume - fit only for those aware of the respect such a book demands; adults and children alike - but a must-have for ANY dinosaur enthusiast!
A delicate volume - fit only for those aware of the respect such a book demands; adults and children alike - but a must-have for ANY dinosaur enthusiast!
December 24, 2021
This book came out a while ago but is still available, because it is simply fabulous, especially if you're a dino lover. Readers will discover a large, intricately detailed dinosaur pop-up on each of the two page spreads, beginning with an introduction to dinosaurs called Ruling Reptiles with a lovely pop-up of that all-time favorite, the T-Rex or Tyrannosaurus Rex. This is followed by the Shield Bearers or Stegosaurs, small-headed herbivores whose armored bodies were covered with vertical plates or spikes; the Frill-Heads or Triceratops, hoofed herbivores with large heads with horns on their head and snout, and a bony frill around their neck; then the Long-Necked Giants or Sauropods, recognizable by their long necks, large bodies and even larger appetite; next are the Meat Eaters or Theropods, gigantic bipedal carnivores (perhaps you've heard of the newly discovered Giganotosaurus from Argentina); and finally the Raptors or Dromeosaurs, feathered, flying carnivores in the theropod family, known for their retractable claws. Each page has pockets with additional information and smaller pop-up about each type of dinosaur. I gave this book to my nephew for Christmas one year when he was a 7-year-old budding Paleontologist. When he saw I had this copy of it for review thanks to Candlewick, he told me that he still has his copy, still looks at it once in a while and hopes to share it with his own children whenever that happens. There is a wonderful Teacher's Guide that can be downloaded for this book as well as an activity sheet for making a simple pop-up T-Rex.
May 18, 2019
Favourite childhood non-fiction book-- full of interesting facts about dinosaurs which are hard to forget, considering they're paired with stylistic 3D dinosaurs which pop out of the book.
July 26, 2018
We checked this out from the library. This unfortunately meant that many of the amazing pop-ups were already broken. However, the ones that remained were so cool. The kids really enjoyed them. The whole book was just...interesting, intriguing. I will be adding this to our "hope-to-own" list.
September 23, 2018
I can see why the library had this book as a reference book for so long. Just recently they released it for check out and I was able to check it out. The pop-ups inside this books are fantastic. There is not just one pop-up per page but multiple. Unfortunately, this book has seen some use and some of them, the tail or the head is not properly working but nevertheless, this book is a gem.
When you open each page, a huge pop-up opens up in the center and there is a small paragraph explaining what it is. Then, on each of these two-page spreads, there are multiple doors that open up. On the front of these doors, there is a paragraph or two of data and then as you open up the door, another pop-up dinosaur comes alive or a item relating to a dinosaur pops-up, with more information written along side of it. So there is at least 3 to 5 pop-ups per page with tons of information.
I love the cutouts of these pop-ups. They are delicate, detailed cutouts and they will definitely wow, you. There is a great deal of information inside this book, too. This is not a book I would let a small child play with. This is a book I would give to a child who loves dinosaurs and knows how to take care of a book. This is a book I would give to a child who appreciates a great pop-up book and knows how to take care of it. This is a book I would give to someone who loves pop-up books and appreciates details. This is book that you should check out and enjoy yourself.
When you open each page, a huge pop-up opens up in the center and there is a small paragraph explaining what it is. Then, on each of these two-page spreads, there are multiple doors that open up. On the front of these doors, there is a paragraph or two of data and then as you open up the door, another pop-up dinosaur comes alive or a item relating to a dinosaur pops-up, with more information written along side of it. So there is at least 3 to 5 pop-ups per page with tons of information.
I love the cutouts of these pop-ups. They are delicate, detailed cutouts and they will definitely wow, you. There is a great deal of information inside this book, too. This is not a book I would let a small child play with. This is a book I would give to a child who loves dinosaurs and knows how to take care of a book. This is a book I would give to a child who appreciates a great pop-up book and knows how to take care of it. This is a book I would give to someone who loves pop-up books and appreciates details. This is book that you should check out and enjoy yourself.
June 30, 2022
Likely to pass this gem of my early childhood onto another kid in the family, I decided I would spend some time rereading it. While some facts have become a bit outdated — as the author puts it, "We all make mistakes, paleontologists included" — it holds up pretty well. Most of the changing science is just clarifications that have been made since, not outright falsehoods. This mini-encyclopedia presents a great introduction for many young folks to the lost world.
I was a huge dinosaur nerd as a child, and wanted to be a paleontologist, so it was nice to get refreshers on so many fun facts. This short volume is full of them, with pages folding out in so many ways to display them all. It is careful to focus on many types of dinosaurs, not just the famous ones, providing an all-encompassing introduction to readers.
This book would not be complete without its pop-outs, however. Its pop-out pictures are colorful, lively, and stick with you. All these years later, I still recalled and prepared for the Allosaurus tugging on the flesh of its prey — and for the T-Rex that would chomp at the reader. If you have a child who likes dinosaurs, or one who is just getting into learning about science, this is a great pick.
I was a huge dinosaur nerd as a child, and wanted to be a paleontologist, so it was nice to get refreshers on so many fun facts. This short volume is full of them, with pages folding out in so many ways to display them all. It is careful to focus on many types of dinosaurs, not just the famous ones, providing an all-encompassing introduction to readers.
This book would not be complete without its pop-outs, however. Its pop-out pictures are colorful, lively, and stick with you. All these years later, I still recalled and prepared for the Allosaurus tugging on the flesh of its prey — and for the T-Rex that would chomp at the reader. If you have a child who likes dinosaurs, or one who is just getting into learning about science, this is a great pick.
September 16, 2023
The picture book, “Encyclopedia Prehistorica Dinosaurs” by Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart, is a pop-up book filled with fun facts about dinosaurs. This book is great for children who love dinosaurs and surprises. On each page, there are many flaps and pop-ups that will capture the attention of children. Many children love books that they can interact with especially those who have trouble keeping still because it gives the child something to do. Even a child who may not be as interested in science or dinosaurs may develop an interest because of all the pop-ups. The dinosaurs are all brightly colored which will help draw children in. The book should help children to expand their horizons. Also the picture book, “Encyclopedia Prehistorica Dinosaurs” teaches children it is okay to make mistakes and gives examples of how others have made mistakes. The article, “Childhood”, mentions that children do not know anything about the world until it is taught to them. It is important for adults to help children expand their knowledge and learn of all the possibilities life could hold for them. The picture book, “Encyclopedia Prehistorica Dinosaurs” will help children understand the history of dinosaurs, how dinosaurs were discovered, and the history of paleontology.
May 14, 2023
Wow this book is so cool! It super informative and perfect for dinosaur lovers of all ages. The paper engineering of the pop-up illustrations is so impressive and intricate. The book is divided into several sections, each of which focuses on a different group of dinosaurs. The illustrations are incredibly detailed and impressive, with each pop-up featuring multiple layers and intricate details. The text involves a lot of information which can be overwhelming for some, but I loved reading about each creatures characteristics, behaviors, and habitats. I could also look at the illustrations alone for hours! The pop-ups are designed with such precision and care that it's easy to get lost in the details and marvel at the intricacies of each creature. The book also includes smaller pop-ups that provide additional information and context. I would be afraid to leave this book on an shelf where children can grab it since pop-ups aren't always durable. This book is so impressive and fun! A great gift for dinosaur lovers.
September 27, 2025
This book is absolutely gorgeous! The pop-ups are so detailed and eye-catching, and the amount of information packed inside is very impressive. It covers a wide range of dinosaurs and even some history of paleontology, and most of the facts are up to date and accurate. Because it is a pretty delicate book and has some challenging vocabulary, I wouldn't recommend it for kids under 5th grade unless an adult is reading with them. That said, it's the kind of book that dinosaur fans of any age can enjoy and get lost in, and it's ann excellent gateway into the world of prehistoric life.
As someone who is both a dinosaur enthusiast and a future teacher, I'd definitely include this in my classroom library. It's the perfect mix of non-fiction and fun, and it has so much potential to spark curiousity about prehistoric life. I'd highly recommend this book to other teachers looking to add engaging nonfiction titles to their classroom collections.
As someone who is both a dinosaur enthusiast and a future teacher, I'd definitely include this in my classroom library. It's the perfect mix of non-fiction and fun, and it has so much potential to spark curiousity about prehistoric life. I'd highly recommend this book to other teachers looking to add engaging nonfiction titles to their classroom collections.
April 21, 2019
Dinosaurs is a wonderful informational text full of colorful pop-ups that are sure to delight students of all ages. It would be a great book to give to students in 3rd through 6th grade who show an interest in dinosaurs, as it provides small, easy-to-read blurbs of information in addition to its images. What stood out to me was how amazing the pop-ups in this book were, as there were several on each page tucked behind different flaps. This book would be great to use for a read-aloud during a unit on dinosaurs, as each page covers different types and the pop-ups would keep students engaged. It would also be useful to keep as a resource for students if they were doing a project on dinosaurs as it would provide students with an easy way to get information on the topic.
October 22, 2020
So freaking cool! My 4YO is just old enough to not tear up the pop-ups (at least, so far so good). The words are a bit dry and technical for his age, but he doesn't mind while he is lifting the flap to reveal the next feat of paper ingenuity.
As a mother of three boys, I've accepted that dinosaurs are an inevitable stage of their development, but I hate everything about them (the dinosaurs, not boys). They're so...not pretty. But clever paper crafts, I can get behind. I actually enjoy flipping through this with my son.
What's even cooler is that I got a Prime Day deal on this for $15. One of my better impulse buys. My only regret is I was too excited to save it for Christmas. It would have made a perfect present.
As a mother of three boys, I've accepted that dinosaurs are an inevitable stage of their development, but I hate everything about them (the dinosaurs, not boys). They're so...not pretty. But clever paper crafts, I can get behind. I actually enjoy flipping through this with my son.
What's even cooler is that I got a Prime Day deal on this for $15. One of my better impulse buys. My only regret is I was too excited to save it for Christmas. It would have made a perfect present.
January 21, 2021
I ordered this book for my three year old, who has an exceptional interest in dinosaurs and is well versed with their complicated nomenclature. Although the book is intended for a slightly grown up audience but is extremely well crafted - it being more of a craft book rather than a reading book, so I guess children of all ages with interest in dinos will find at least something of their interest, the craft if not the reading material. The book is short - only 6 pages BUT with a ton of compressed information and well placed details on those six page. You open a page and the information just pops out. I eventually ended up reading this together with my 3 year old and in the end we both were equally impressed.
March 16, 2021
This is the most curious little (well, it's not quite little) book I've ever stumbled across. At first I had thought the pages were damaged when I saw it on the shelf, but then I opened it up to a tyrannosaurus skeleton, and nearly toppled over in child like glee. The noise I made was inhuman. I've never seen a pop-up book like this one. This book is a joy for all ages. I'm 24, and I shared it with my brother, my grandparents, and put it out for the kids in our library to enjoy, and thus far I've had no unhappy customers. Mind you my brother was high when I showed it to hum, and thought it was one of those books from Harry Potter, but I think the fact that he thought it was legit magic only enhanced his experience.
September 18, 2019
I received this book as a present for my son years ago (Thanks, Ben!). We rediscovered it again recently when we were in a "Wimpy Kid" series gap. We both loved it and appreciated the artfulness of it immensely, and though the vocabulary and dinosaur names occasionally proved a challenge, the beauty of this book pulled us through.
April 27, 2022
Some information presented here is outdated, but this delightful read is still worth your time for it’s beautiful, intricate pop up art. In addition to this, I was surprised by how much information the book actually contained. There are lots of cool surprises hiding within its pages.
Recommend to any dinosaur enthusiast, regardless of age.
Recommend to any dinosaur enthusiast, regardless of age.
September 24, 2020
Buku ini mungkin mahal banget buat kantongku, tapi mungkin ini 12 halaman buku paling indah yang pernah aku punya. Tiap jenis Dino dibuat dengan indah dan detail menakjubkan. Info Dan ilustrasi yang mendukung juga menambahkan nilai seni buku ini. Value addition to our small library.
May 9, 2021
You are never too old for a pop-up book, and this one is just as great for adults as it is for children. The pop-up features are phenomenal!! So intricate and detailed! The information is also interesting and so much packed into little spaces.
I loved this.
I loved this.
July 4, 2021
5 stars. Excellent and intricate and delicate pop up book filled to the brim with all the dinosaur info a reader could want! Our principal bought one for each 3rd-6th grade homeroom the year it was nominated for the Texas Bluebonnet Award!
May 14, 2022
My daughter and I enjoyed this beautiful, immersive dinosaur art book very much! The written information is kind of basic but pop-up books are all about the aesthetic, right? And this one has the wow-factor going for it.
November 23, 2025
I'm not sure what happened, but this book only contains three pop-up pages and it is definitely not worth the cost. I bought this as a Christmas gift for my niece and I don't know if I will even give it to her.
October 17, 2017
I’ve been obsessed with dinosaurs since forever, so when my parents got me this I was beyond excited. It’s so thrilling and vivid! A full experience.
March 11, 2018
A fantastic and artful pop-up book for kiddos! I enjoyed it so much that I didn't want to give it to the kid I'd bought it for :)
November 23, 2018
Prachtig pop up boek!
January 11, 2019
I read this book for my 2019 PopSugar Challenge “read a book about an extinct or imaginary creature”. Lots of great information about every dinosaur imaginable & the pop up pictures are fantastic!
December 17, 2019
I think this book was well written and had true facts about dinosaurs. It named the species and was very intresting. I also liked the illustrations.
June 9, 2020
A brilliant book for both the information and the incredible pop ups. My son loves it, but trying to keep it in good condition is a struggle.
September 20, 2020
Great pop-up book. My dino loving kids' favorite dinosaur book.
October 13, 2020
My son loved this book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews