About This Book
Reach for this book when your child asks if dragons were real or expresses frustration that the magical creatures they love don't exist in our world. This beautifully researched nonfiction title bridges the gap between folklore and science, showing how early civilizations used their imaginations to explain the fossilized remains of dinosaurs and strange animal sightings. It honors a child's sense of wonder while introducing rigorous scientific concepts like paleontology and archaeology. This is a perfect choice for middle grade readers who are transitioning from fantasy novels to more complex informational texts. It validates their love for the fantastical while grounding it in the thrill of real world discovery, making it a sophisticated tool for building critical thinking and scientific inquiry.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book is entirely secular and scientific in its approach. While it touches on ancient civilizations and their beliefs, it treats them with respect as early forms of scientific inquiry. There are no depictions of violence or death, though it does discuss skeletal remains (fossils) in a clinical, educational manner.
