The Iguanodon's Horn: How Artists and Scientists Put a Dinosaur Back Together Again and Again and Again

by Sean Rubin

Highlighting the role of artists in the scientific process, this crowd-pleasing look at dinosaurs explores how new discoveries deepen our understanding of the world. Ever since mysterious bones were found in 1822, scientists and artists have tried to figure out what the creature they came from looked like. But it seems that every time they’ve made up their minds, someone makes a new discovery, and they have to start all over. That’s only fair, though—after all, it’s how knowledge advances! With an inviting tone and detail-filled art, Sean Rubin traces the process of defining—and redefining—the dinosaur called Iguanodon . Entertaining, accessible, and beautiful, his tale will delight dinosaur fans, budding artists, and anyone curious about how science really works. 

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Dinosaurs, Science, History, Animals, Stem

48 pages, Hardcover

First published March 19, 2024

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

My little Jurassic Park heart is content.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book are so beautiful, dynamic, and interesting. I found myself slowing down to examine this as I read. Each page is a little masterpiece.

By telling the story of how art and science have changed how we imagine and depict dinosaurs throughout history as more information is discovered, this book encourages curiosity and investigation. Celebrating both art and science and the connections between both disciplines in shaping how we see the world, Sean Rubin helps us see how our scientific knowledge is always evolving, and this book might inspire your kid to be part of the discovery.

Also, you absolutely have to read the endnotes. He gives information not on the main page behind many of the illustrations, and each end note could be a little story in itself.

[Christine Zandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This funny nonfiction book shares info about the process of piecing together a dinosaur over the years and how all the theories led to what we know today.

I really like how there's a mini story before the title page.

The art has a lot going on and kids will want to go through the scenes to uncover all that's there.

The ending is uplifting, encouraging kids to go on and continue discovering more about dinosaurs and adding to what we know.

There's additional information about each scene in the back.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Iguanodon's Horn follows the fascinating development of human knowledge about dinosaur fossils, specifically the animal that came to be known as the Iguanodon. Rubin introduces young readers to how the perceptions of dinosaurs have changed over the years through science and art. With the Iguanodon as the primary example, he shows how ideas about them changed over they years as more was learned about them through the study of fossils and footprints as well as just general knowledge about dinosaurs in general. Science as a process of growing and developing is emphasized. The well-written text explains things beautifully but it's the illustrations that really bring the point home. The illustrations make it clear that people's theories and understanding of the iguanodon have changed a great deal since the first fossils of the animal were discovered. For example, the fossil that was originally thought to be a horn that was later determined to be a thumb spike. A truly thought-provoking look at the challenges of scientific thought and turning fossils into artwork. The artwork, called 'digital collage' by the author/illustrator truly makes the book stand out. The back matter that explains the artwork and what it was based on will be especially informative for the adults who take the time to read it. A great nonfiction introduction to the scientific and artistic sides of the paleontology coin. Highly recommended.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beginning with the 1822 discovery of iguanodon fossils, scientists and artists have worked to separate fact from fantasy using the scientific method to come up with realistic depictions. With each scientific discovery and innovation, the picture changes, but there is still much more to discover. This is an outstanding nonfiction picture book with an accessible informative text and gorgeous illustrations. A must read for all dinosaur lovers!

[Celeste]

stayed after class with my friend specifically to read this book because the art is just GORGEOUSSSSS and we absolutely ADORED how almost all the pages connected across spreads....the care taken in the artwork is just amazing. also a really fun depiction of this dinosaur history and i think it would be awesome for kids who are into dinosaurs...especially in regards to changing perceptions of how dinosaurs are displayed:)

[Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the better kids' nonfiction books I've read in a while. Fascinating information and truly wonderful illustrations, with just the right amount of humor. Not just a dinosaur book but a dive into how science is an exciting, ever-changing discipline.

[Wayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun kids book that looks at how hypotheses in science (specifically paleontology) change over time. Great artwork. Interesting story. Big hit with little boys.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author studied art and archeology at Princeton, which makes this an appropriate book for him to write and illustrate. The book is interesting and has a bit of humor sprinkled in.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sean Rubin is creative in his presentation as the book begins before the title page and captivates with his creative exploration of why so many drawings and sculptures of the iguanodon were needed after the finding of a bone, then called a horn, in 1822. His use of a ribbon throughout the book, but especially in the very beginning, fact boxes as more evidence was added to scientific knowledge of this dinosaur changed the images, and back matter notes after the story really beautifully captures how scientific study can change things over many years and new evidence is found. I have always loved the concept of scientific research and feel that Rubin has visually shared what it is in this interesting and fact filled picture book. I plan to share this one with science teachers as I really feel it explains the process of science better than any I have seen before now.

I plan to add this one to both of my elementary schools! It is going to be fun to pull out along with my copy of The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins by Barbara Kerley and Brian Selznick.

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

The iguanodon was dead, to begin with…

With this slightly depressing beginning, the author launches into an historic and amusing story of how we managed to put together dinosaur bones and, with them, dinosaur prehistory. As I’ve stated in a previous review, the process of scientific discover is one of occasional stumbling and missteps. Things are said, mistakes are made.

This book reiterates that truth. Science never brings you to an end goal or fixed point; it’s a process. So it was with dinosaurs. In the beginning, people stumbled upon bits and pieces of fossils. Incomplete evidence led to incomplete and, frankly, highly inaccurate conclusions.

The book takes us through that history, the early scientific exploration, the wrongful ideas, the laughably bad pictures and illustrations to the modern-day rebirth of dinosaur notions. Dinosaurs went from being pictured as dull, tail-dragging cold-blooded reptiles to beings that were more like birds…the precursors of contemporary feathered creatures.

Dinosaurs weren’t monsters or creatures out of myth and legend (I’m looking in your direction, Toothless!) but beings that were part of the world and might have had recognizable physical traits like color, spikes, horns and body fat.

The book comes with interesting, quirky facts in the back, including how renewed interest in dinos inspired Jurassic Park which in turn led to more interest in dinosaurs. It’s all one long ongoing process.

There are so many children out there who love dinosaurs. This book is just the thing for them.

[Laura Giessler · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great attempt to explain the process of scientific discovery--that science is a process in which theories are revised as new information is obtained. The iguanodon is used as the case study, and Rubin traces the evolution of our understanding of what it may have looked like. Each page is an artistic masterpiece; in the back, the art is described as line art scanned into a Mac mini, adding digital watercolor and pastel, then physical watercolor washes and paint splatters scanned into Photoshop. ! "The artist was not entirely sure what to call all this, but "digital collage" sort of makes sense." My favorite part may have been the end page with the UVA psychology mug...and reading that the author/illustrator is also the illustrator for the Redwall series, a beloved favorite of my now-grown son, AND that he and his wife live in my town of Charlottesville! How cool!

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informational picture book detailing the progression of the Iguanodon starting in 1822 when the first fossil (a tooth) was discovered. The book explains that as more fossils were discovered and as theories changed, so too did the renderings of dinosaurs. For example, the "horn" from the title was first thought to be on the nose, but was later discovered to be the "thumb" on the front feet. Five periods are covered: "First", Crystal Palace, 20th Century, Renaissance, and current "Speculative" with illustrations of how the Iguanodon was viewed during each of those periods and what discoveries helped change/influence the designs. A very thoughtful look at how knowledge evolves over time. Backmatter includes author's notes with additional information on each page spread. Frustratingly, they are listed by page number, when no page numbers are present in the book.

[Ellon · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars (I loved it)

An extremely interesting, engaging and informative nonfiction picture book! This should definitely win the Siebert Award!

The book starts with "The iguanodon died a long time ago. A really long time ago. Bit of a bummer way to start a story, but hang on." I laughed out loud when reading it!

That humor persists throughout and makes something that could easily be dry the exact opposite (wet? haha). Even the endnotes are fun

I love the emphasis on how science works in that we do the best with what we currently know but how things can always change based on new information!

The one thing I found awkward was how the title page was after like 5 pages of the story but it works.

[Bethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars. Love how dinosaur studies have evolved through the centuries via science and art. The iguanodon dies before the title page, people throughout history interacting and speculating about the bones they found, science actually starting in the 1700s. Dinosaur fans of all ages will enjoy this look at how paleontology has changed, even since I’ve been an adult! Love the different scientists that are mentioned, familiar from other dino books I’ve read. No list of sources or bibliography, but each spread has endnotes, but there are no page numbers in the book? Be sure to view the case cover art - iguanodon thru the ages!

[Lisa Wiertel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a good introduction in explaining the scientific process to an elementary aged child. Using the discoveries over the years of iguanodon bones, artists and scientists have changed their ideas on what they thought dinosaurs look like. The illustrations are colorful and detailed and some of the earlier renditions of the iguanodon are funny knowing what we know now. This is a great book for a parent and child to read, explore, and discuss together. It won numerous awards in 2024 including being named an ALA Notable Book of 2024 as well as Good Housekeeping’s 2024 Children’s Book Award Winner. The author/illustrator lives in Charlottesville, Virginia.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

45. STARS
"Whenever they think they've got it figured out, new information is discovered, and everyone returns to the drawing board. But that's okay, because science is a process that never ends..."
This is such an important concept to teach children and this book does it in a really engaging, fun, exciting way -- and with dinosaurs! :-) Illustrations are great because they really help highlight the changing ideas about dinosaurs. I would have given this five shining stars had there been a Bibliography. Everything else is top-notch.

[Abbigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book is truly exceptional on many levels. The cadence and storytelling is engaging and mesmerizing- even for those of us who are not obsessed with dinosaurs (this book kind of makes me want to love dinosaurs?)- the illustrations are fantastic, and the general concept that we haven't always had the same idea of what dinosaurs look like and we probably won't have the current idea forever is so fascinating. Additional information at the back of the book goes spread by spread to add more details. Too good.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could award more stars I would for this outstanding book. Rubin takes on the serious issue of science, the scientific process and how it changes as information is gained. He does it in this absolutely charming kid-magnet of a book.

Packed with solid information, the book is funny, appealing and filled with outstanding illustrations, this is a book that kids will pour over again and again.

A must purchase for STEM classrooms, libraries and to read with small dinosaur fanatics everywhere.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spoiler alert - iguanodon did not have a horn. It did have a spike on its hand, though. And it did not look like a rhino or an iguana! More like a large bird.
This book was really fascinating. It walks the reader through many misconceptions of what iguanodon and other dinos looked like.
I grew up in the 1960s and I still have a hard time reimagining the reptilian dino images I grew up with. This book helps. It also discusses how science works and the importance of paleoartists! A valuable addition to any library and a must for dino lovers!

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars. Once I got pass the first few pages, this was fascinating! If you thought you knew everything there was to know about dinosaurs, think again. A lot has changed since the 1800s, early to mid 1900s, and even late 1900s. The dinosaurs of the 21st century are nothing like the ones of the past.
Give this one to children and tweens who are interested in dinosaurs or adults in need of a refresher on dinosaurs (aka those who last learned about dinosaurs in the 1900s or aughts).

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book shows the progression of hypotheses about what iguanadons looked like, from stories of dragons to the modern age. It is a useful update for those of us who grew up with older dinosaur illustrations and uses this progression to explain how scientific theories progress in general. The author studied art and archaeology at Princeton. The illustrations were drawn with pencil and colored digitally, giving the illustrations a more historic feel.

[Holly Mueller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so interesting! I never thought about how science and art come together to form our ideas and impressions. Even when they're wrong! Entertaining and informative. This book can inspire conversations about how the scientific method works and how science, history, and art are forever evolving!

[Carolyn at Bloomers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really appreciate how this book shows us the trials and errors of scientific discoveries through the discovery of Iguanadon. Too often we think discoveries and knowledge quickly come together but they often take time, experimentation, and many mistakes/wrong hypothesis along the way. That is the process of learning.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

After just finishing up a genetics unit at school, this would have been the perfect book for my eighth graders who were studying evolution and Darwinism. I loved how the author used a combination of humor, art, and science to illustrate evolution. I am going to definitely recommend to my co- workers so they can implement it into curriculum next year.

[Nina Karagounis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good pick for a child exploring/reading on their own or one-on-one with an adult. the interludes with descriptions of scientific theories at different points in time are great for getting young readers moving, as they can act out the different theoretical Iguanodon characteristics.

Encourages critical thinking and asking questions. Plus, dinosaurs!!!

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has front pages before the title page that give a graphic introduction to scientific method - LOVE.

Very cool graphic journey through the development of what dinosaur (specifically the Iguanodon) might have looked like- good explanation of scientific theories changing with new thought and new evidence

[Ellen Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book that is about dinosaurs, but also about how science evolves and changes as we gain more information. The fun illustrations and small bits of added details make this book great for kids between 1st and 5th grade. Younger reader can enjoy the illustrations and skip the details where an older reader can really dive in with this book.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rubin's art is perfect for this book showing how the idea and depiction of dinosaurs have changed over time. A great nonfiction title that shows how science changes and evolves while also being an engaging story.

[Shari (Shira) · Rating 4 out of 5]

If there is a dino-fanatic in your life, go out and get this book right now. I promise you, s/he will pour over it until it is tattered. Stunning illustrations, fascinating information. This is a can't miss.