Dinosaur Feathers

by Dennis Nolan

Dinosaurs disappeared completely from the Earth many, many years ago...or did they?

An ALA Notable Children's Book
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year!

Millions of years ago, dinosaurs roamed the shores of Mesozoic seas. They lay eggs in the shade of ginkgo trees, and as time went on, dinosaurs grew, and grew, and grew.

There were so many different species of dinosaurs. Large, monstrous, and fearsome, they ruled the earth. Until gradually, there were no dinosaurs left.

But they didn't disappear completely. Some dinosaurs had feathers, which grew and grew...until all through the skies were hundreds of species of birds, which flew and flew.

From the bestselling creator of Dinosaur Dream Dennis Nolan comes a poetic nonfiction picture book about how dinosaurs evolved into birds.

A Bank Street Best Book of the Year - Outstanding Merit
An ILA-CBC Children's Choice!<,/b>

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Dinosaurs, Science, Childrens, Birds, Animals

48 pages, Hardcover

Published September 24, 2019

About the author

Dennis Nolan is an illustrator and writer of children's books.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent illustrations and the back matter with a complete illustrated list of the dinosaurs/birds (including pronunciations and eras) that appeared on each page of the story is very well done, as is the Tree of Life. One of the better dinosaurs-to-birds picture books I've encountered in terms of presenting the general concept and gorgeous illustrations, but it's not a deep dive so look elsewhere if that's what you're after.

[Jessie (Zombie_likes_cake) · Rating 2 out of 5]

You need 2 context clues to understand how and why this book ended up on my currently reading list. 1) We happily practice Jólabókaflóð in this household. 2) I was a dinosaur kid, and then after my kid dinosaur phase when I was 12 I was a "Jurassic Park" teen. It was my first big blockbuster obsession, I watched it multiple times in theatre, wore out the video tape (yes, that's how old I am) and I also quite enjoyed the OG novel. The way dinosaurs look in my head is basically designed by Steven Spielberg. Now this whole science can of worms about dinosaurs having feathers is out and about and ruining my childhood. Deep down, I accept the science (of course I do, I am not an idiot), mostly because as a kid I also found the idea fascinating that dinosaurs might be closer related to birds than to reptiles. Apparently, I didn't think it through to the feather thing as a kid... and now as an adult I just can't stand when someone puts feathers on the T-Rex that we all know looks exactly (EXACTLY) as it does in the JP films. If you ask me, "Jurassic Park" is basically the leading documentary on the subject. Me and my husband often discuss this in jest (or in less jest), I don't want it to be true (which is a bit different from being a science denier. Weird that I have to make this clear in these days: I don't doubt the science, I just don't like it).

Fast forward to December 2025 when my husband and me visited the American Museum of Natural History in NYC where, of course, there's a lot about the more recent scientific discoveries in regards to feathers on dinosaurs. Which my husband greatly enjoyed. So he took the opportunity of the jólabókaflóð to gift me this beauty. Which made for a great laugh on Christmas Eve. As is tradition, I read the book gifted to me that night. Learnt about and becried the feather situation. And all those garish colors Nolan chose to dress his dinosaurs in.

On a more serious review note, and keep in mind that I am not the audience and have the above described bias, the book was just okay. For pages and pages it just lists dinosaur and later bird names and teaches you how to pronounce those names. Even in my kid's picture books, I prefer a bit more story, or since this is a Non-Fiction, a bit more telling than listing. It also rhymes! I hate rhyming.

So, if I had kids I'd hide it from them. It would be in the forbidden book section, next to books about dark magic and "How to Kill your Husband" volumes 1-5. Good thing I don't have kids.

[Shaye Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This nonfiction picture book features rhyming text with pronunciation keys for difficult dinosaur names. The story takes us through their life on earth, their death, then follows with what we believe to be their descendants, today: flamingos, parakeets, chickens, and so many different types of birds. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and will keep young children engaged as the text is read aloud. The artwork for this book was made with transparent watercolor on watercolor paper.

For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!

[Jenny France · Rating 5 out of 5]

This rating is from my 4 year old. I received this book for free. Somehow it has become my son's favorite for years. Interesting illustrations. Shows evolution of dinosaurs to birds. Lots of fun dinosaur names to say. Rhyming.

[Teresa Bateman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hey, what happened to those dinosaurs...and where did all these birds come from? Dennis Nolan's gorgeous watercolor illustrations pop with vibrant colors and detail against stark white pages as his rhyming text names dinosaurs, and then illustrations and text gradually transition to birds. It's hard to know which name goes with which critter, so it's good that he included pages at the end that show each dinosaur and bird with a small headshot and a tiny bit of additional information. There's also a Tree of Life showing where dinosaurs and birds fit in. This is a beautiful book that will call to dinosaur-lovers. The author especially has my respect for rhyming so many birds and dinosaurs. Kudos!

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rhyming picture book length non-fiction book about dinosaurs and birds. What more could a children's librarian wish for?!? Can't wait until school visits start up next month!

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I'm not entirely sure what transparent watercolor is, I like the way it is used here to depict the many types of dinosaurs that once roamed the planet. In rhyming text, the author gives a brief history of dinosaurs and how some of them eventually evolved into birds. The bottom border of the pages features footprints and a roll call of several different dinosaurs, complete with a pronunciation guide. The pages are filled with these interesting creatures until they are replace by various birds scampering about and then taking to the air. While the list of dinosaurs and bird species is interesting enough, I was a bit surprised that the text consisted mostly of dinosaur names. Still, fans of dinosaurs will be delighted with this book and the helpful back matter that consists of thumbnail sketches of the dinosaurs featured on its pages, including when and where they lived and their size and pronunciation of their names as well as information about which page they can be found on. There is also a double-page spread showing the tree of life and how these birds evolved from certain types of dinosaurs. Considering all this and the fact that dinosaurs disappeared 66 million years ago makes readers wonder at nature's variety--10,000 different bird species exist--and how long birds will fill our skies. While the book's contents weren't quite what I expected, I ended up appreciating it for its beautiful images and scientific information.

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 4 out of 5]

A parade of dinosaurs crosses each page of this book and evolving to become birds.

Snappy rhyming text opens this list of dinosaurs. In no apparent order, they generally move from left to right on each two-page spread until a meteor is seen speeding across the sky. With the turn of a page, the reader is introduced to birds from around the world.

Nolan's transparent watercolor artwork on watercolor paper is the star in this extended poem about evolution. Dinosaur lovers will spend eons pouring over the colors and detail. The facial expressions are charming, as well. There is no scale and the reader is never really sure which dinosaur is being featured on any given spread. Pluses: pronunciations of dinosaur names is next to the name in the text block; a chart with thumbnail images of each dinosaur and bird (in order within the book) with their names, pronunciation, meaning of their name, average size, location, and how many years ago they lived; a "Tree of Life" showing general relationships, a bibliography of sources used and a list of museums in the U.S. with dinosaur bones.

An excellent browser about dinosaurs, this could be used to introduce a unit on evolution, as well.

Recommended for PreSchool-grade 3.

[Cassidy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book talks about the dinosaurs and how they lived before us. It shows pictures of a lot of the dinosaurs that used to live before us. With the pictures, within the dirt they are walking in is written the name of each of the dinosaurs. After it mentions that most of the dinosaurs died, it talks about the ones that survived, which were mostly birds. In the back of the book is a glossary type section where it names all of the dinosaurs, and when and where they might have lived. most of the dinosaurs take up the whole page, some even take up two pages. I gave this book only 4 stars because it is hard to understand what name goes with what dinosaur, until you get to the end where the glossary is. Even in the glossary it is hard to tell, especially since it only shows the heads of the dinosaur, so if someone wanted to know which dinosaur was which they would have to keep going back and fourth. Although that is a downside I did enjoy that it also had a picture of the tree of life, which helps explain evolution.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dinosaurs that roamed the earth millions of years ago came in all shapes and sizes. Most of them died out, but some of them evolved into birds. Birds today come in all shapes and sizes, too! This wonderfully illustrated picture book celebrates dinosaurs and the birds that came after them.

This is technically a nonfiction picture book, but its lilting text could make you think it was just a fun rhyming picture book featuring dinosaurs. In truth the book is basically just a list of dinosaurs followed by a list of birds, all of it illustrated well. The author does include more detailed scientific lists in the back, but again its basically a book of rhyming lists followed by alphabetic lists. Fans of dinosaurs will probably enjoy it for its simple premise, but this is not a "must buy" by any means.

Review also published at kissthebookjr.blogspot.com

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dinosaur Feather by Dennis Nolan
Illustrated by Dennis Nolan
Published on September 24, 2019 by Holiday House
Dinosaur Feathers is a realistic informational picture book all about dinosaurs, evolution and birds. Through rhyme, this book explains how dinosaurs live and gives examples of dinosaurs. Then it explains the extinctions of dinosaurs and the evolution of birds. At the end of the book they gave a list of a bunch of different kinds of dinosaurs and an evolutionary tree which was super interesting. I think that any young kid who likes dinosaurs would LOVE this book. Im not sure I would use this to teach evolutionary change considering it leaves out key elements and is fairly simple however its very entertaining and gives really good information towards the back of the book.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this book is not super educational, it can be a great starting point for introducing the concept of evolution to kids. The dinosaurs are illustrated in incredible, lifelike detail, but several are drawn with feathers to show how similar their appearance is to birds of today. The pronunciations included will help readers unfamiliar with the names, and as they get more comfortable pronouncing, will benefit from reading aloud since the names rhyme as well as the rest of the text. More than anything, I think this is a great book for learning and differentiating dinosaur species.

[AStar Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has so much potential to be great. The illustrations are phenomenal and the humor had me laughing out loud. However, I think it would have been a lot more fun to have a little info about each type of dinosaur (poem form of course) to go along with the identification/pronunciation...as opposed to the listing of names. Also, I know there is a key at the back, but I would have preferred to know which dinosaur went with each name on the page that they were featured. Aside from that, loved the informational area at the back and had fun with this one :)

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

For children who like learning about dinosaurs, this book gives names and details about the avian dinosaurs and the scientific names for each. A rhyming story of their beginnings and names with pronunciations. The book shows what modern-day birds have evolved. Back matter and illustrations of each bird and a tree of life. Good reference material for a report for a young child or a school library.

[Hannah Russell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was so educational and included so much information that it helped develop understanding. The pictures were just amazing and so detailed that there was so much to look at and understand. I loved that there was the pronunciation of the names beside the pictures so that you could understand how the names were pronounced. I loved the connections that this book made from dinosaurs to birds, and it was so amazing to look at and read.

[Cheryl A. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing. The wealth of back matter implies a scientific sensibility, but it's basically a list of names and guesses about what some of the dinosaurs might have looked like. But though the pictures are pretty, they don't seem realistic. Too many of them are under-muscled, for example, with a snake neck on a balloon body (look at a horse, cow, giraffe for other necks). My adult son wanted to like it, too, and didn't.

[Angela De Groot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rhyming text coupled with exceptional art shares how birds evolved from dinosaurs. Some of the dinosaur names are tongue twisters (at least for me 😄) but that and matching the bird and dinosaur names to their illustrations was part of the fun. Brilliant back matter for the curios mind hungering for additional information. Loved The Tree of Life pages.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just the right amount of information for the younger dinosaur fan, but back matter provides 2 sets of data. The first includes a pronunciation guide, size, location, how long ago the dinosaur lived, while the second is a double page spread of the evolutionary tree of life. This information would be useful to the elementary student.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really beautiful book, so so so little actual information. Great illustrations (thank you picture books finally updating) but I think for any kids who already know the names the vague information won't be new, and for those that don't this doesn't say much besides the names... (or which is which if someone doesn't happen to know.)

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

About dinosaurs and birds and how closely related they are.

Practice your pronunciation skills before you try a read aloud because there are TONS of dinosaur names in here. The fact that it all rhymes does help.

On the pages themselves, it's not obvious which name goes with which animal. The back matter helps a lot.

[stillme · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a specific memory of trying to help a parent find a book with dinosaur pronunciations - I wish I'd had this book to give them. If your reader is looking for just dinosaurs, they may be disappointed that the second half of the book is all birds. This is really a book about evolution, and shows a clear path from the dinosaurs to modern birds (it's very well done).
ALA ALSC Notable 2020

[Cassandra Hoso · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked how the author made children/ readers think in this story. This story line makes readers think about what they think happened to dinosaurs, and how they evolved into hundreds of birds, which I thought was really cool. I think this story would be appropriate for young readers who have interest in dinosaurs, or species of birds.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. What a fun and informative dinosaur book! Beautifully detailed illustrations with dinos...and then birds...walking across each double page spread. Text is in rhyme and each name is phonetically spelled, so it's perfect to read aloud. Presents info in a clear and interesting way, appropriate for all ages. Will recommend widely.

[Ana Gutierrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully illustrated and informative childebs book. I especially love the phonetic breakdown of the dinosaur names and Latrin to English translations for not only the dinosaur name but also the presint day bird names as well at the end. The Tree of Life spread across the last two pages is both beautiful and simply rendered to show 4 billion years of evolution at a glance.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a heads up: This isn't a storybook. It's an encyclopedia, showing all the different dinosaurs, and it works its way towards establishing the idea that birds evolved from dinosaurs. It's a science book. For a dinosaur fan, this could be a terrific resource. Dennis Nolan's illustration work, as always, is spectacular.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

A detailed look at the animals of the Mesozic period known as dinosaurs, and how several of them share a common ancestor with the flying pterosuars. These survivors over millions of years continued to thrive, and have become the birds that populate the planet today.

[RJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yess! Fills an big gap in read-aloud dinosaur books by centering current science and putting it into easy-to-understand rhymes. That list of dinosaur names is going to be a CHALLENGE for storytime, however.

[Bonn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is some next level dino kid lit. It's in verse AND it introduces a ton of actual dinosaur names with modern TO-SCALE renditions and ends with a ton of modern birds. Plus- in text pronunciation guides for each new name.

[Jesse · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are beautiful, but I had a few issues: Even though it rhymes, that does not help with pronunciation. Oftentimes the verse is only dinosaur names, so...that's challenging. Secondly, you can't tell which dinosaur belongs to which name! Drove me insane...

[Lauri Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rhyming (AABCCB)
Nonfiction
Great bright illustrations
Leave their tracks
List names of dinosaurs (32)
Bones turned to stone
“Except a few whose feathers grew” into modern birds we know.
List names of birds (32)
Back matter on dinos and birds and the tree of life .