The 12 Best Dinosaur Books for 5-Year-Olds

I flipped through my son’s dinosaur books, wondering why he rarely read them anymore.

Gone were the days of reading what he wanted, when he wanted. Now he was expected to learn.

At 5 years old, life begins to take a more serious turn. Kids are expected to attend school and learn in a more orderly manner. Sometimes formal learning can overtake the fun of learning in their own way – through play and pursuing interests.

That’s why I’ve put together this list of my favorite books for 5-year-old dino fans. These books will give your child a break from the pressures of learning and allow them to learn in their own way – with dinosaurs.

The Best Dinosaur Books for 5-Year-Olds

Keep your preschooler reading and learning with this list of dinosaur books for 5-year-olds.

Nonfiction Dinosaur Books for 5-Year-Olds

Here are a few dinosaur books that focus on information in a fun way.

1. Hello, World! Kids’ Guides: Exploring Dinosaurs* Jill McDonald

This collection of books offers engaging graphics and information about dinosaurs directed at kids. If you’ve read the edition of this book for younger kids, this version is similar but provides more information for older kids.

Hello, World! Kids’ Guides: Exploring Dinosaurs includes information about the different periods of time that dinosaurs are believed to have existed. And helps kids learn to orient dinosaurs within their scientific and historical background. This series includes interesting facts, stunning illustrations, and lots of sharp teeth.

2. My Encyclopedia of Very Important Dinosaurs: Discover more than 80 Prehistoric Creatures

This book is a great introduction to the prehistoric world. Your child will learn about the different periods, what the prehistoric world looked like, and (of course) all about dinosaurs.

My Encyclopedia of Very Important Dinosaurs: Discover more than 80 Prehistoric Creatures is the perfect introduction to dinosaurs and the prehistoric world. It includes information and engaging graphics that will hold a 5-year-old’s attention. If your child is hungry for dinosaur knowledge and is asking questions about when dinosaurs lived and what the world looked like he’ll love this book.

3. National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Dinosaurs

If your child has loved dinosaurs for a while, he might start asking a lot of questions around this age. A brain that is hungry for knowledge, paired with a love for dinosaurs, can create A LOT of questions. Chances are you don’t have all the answers (unless you’re a paleontologist). That’s where this book comes in.

National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Dinosaurs is an encyclopedia of dinosaurs for little kids. It has the answers to all the questions. Including: “How big is that dinosaur?” “What did they eat?” or the simple one my son always loves to stump me with “What’s that one called?”. It’s a fantastic book for young paleontologists.

Note: This is a BIG book. Use it as a visual encyclopedia.

Fictitious Dinosaur Books for 5-Year-Olds

These are fun books that will grow your child’s imagination and reading skills. They are all fiction but include dinosaurs and creative scenarios surrounding them.

4. Jurassic World – Dinosaurs in Your World Field Guide

If you’ve read any of my other dinosaur book posts, you know I love these sound books because my kids LOVE them. They’re always the biggest hit with my boys. No other book can outshine them. So I was thrilled to find this sound book with so many buttons (39 sound buttons).

I typically stay away from Jurassic World books because my kids don’t know anything about Jurassic World. And Jurassic World – Dinosaurs in Your World Field Guide does have some Jurassic World-specific information (like Blue, the Velociraptor and the fictional scenario of dinosaurs in our world). It introduces the different dinosaurs and considers survival amongst dinosaurs in our world.

5. Danny and the Dinosaur Syd Hoff

If you’re looking for a fiction book about dinosaurs for your 5-year-old, Danny and the Dinosaur is a fun option for this age group. If your child ever wished for a pet dinosaur, this book fulfills that fantasy.

Follow along in this classic series as Danny and the dinosaur run around town, helping people, and playing with others. There isn’t a lot to learn about dinosaurs in this book – other than that they are big and don’t exist anymore – but it’s a fun book for kids who love dinosaurs. Plus, this book encourages imaginary play, which is great for this age developmentally.

6. The Magic School Bus: In the Time of the Dinosaurs Joanna Cole & Bruce Degen

If you’re feeling nostalgic and want to introduce your child to The Magic School Bus, this is a great dinosaur book. The kids in Ms. Frizzle’s class are surprised by a field trip to a dinosaur dig. But, of course, the trip doesn’t end there. They end up traveling through time to the age of dinosaurs and learning about all kinds of dinosaurs up close.

The Magic School Bus: In the Time of the Dinosaurs is a surprisingly great book. I went in not expecting much, but it includes tons of valuable information. I learned a few things that I didn’t know even after reading all the dinosaur books that I have.

This is a fun fiction book for dinosaur lovers and Millennial parents who grew up reading and watching The Magic School Bus.

7. How Do Dinosaurs Learn to Read? Jane Yolen

This is the perfect dinosaur book for 5-year-olds who are learning to read. I love this series because it takes common topics for toddlers and preschoolers and makes them into a fun, simple, and educational conversation with dinosaurs.

These are done in such a way that no detail is missed. They include a pronunciation guide and each different dinosaur is labeled so you have the answer when your child asks “Which dinosaur is that?”. Plus, it includes some dinosaur names that you don’t see often, so they can learn a few new ones.

How Do Dinosaurs Learn to Read? also discusses how to treat books and patiently approach reading. As a bonus, it provides some reading instruction that’s great for young readers.

8. The Very Real and True Story of What Definitely Happened to the Dinosaurs Andrew Mikolajewski & Jessie Gallagher

This fun story gives a fictional account of what happened to the dinosaurs. When an asteroid threatened their existence, they set off in a rocket ship to find a new planet. So not only does this give your child something to think about when it comes to dinosaurs, but it also gives a great overview of our solar system.

The Very Real and True Story of What Happened to the Dinosaurs is a fun addition if your child isn’t too serious about the topic of dinosaurs. And a great way to get your child thinking about storytelling and developing creativity.

9. Theo TheSaurus: The Dinosaur Who Loved Big Words Shelli R. Johannes

Another fun fiction book about dinosaurs that focuses on reading skills and vocabulary development. This book is about Theo moving and being nervous that he won’t fit in. Theo is different because he loves big words, so he doesn’t always sound like everyone else.

Theo TheSaurus: The Dinosaur Who Loved Big Words hints at a few struggles that children may be facing around starting school, like not fitting in, and does a nice job of introducing new words. Great for expanding your child’s everyday vocabulary and opening up discussions about sensitive topics.

10. Dinosaurs Love Underpants Claire Freedman

Why did dinosaurs go extinct? Well, it all comes down to underpants. This ridiculous book is surprisingly a fun break from more serious dinosaur books.

When underpants become a thing, it means the end of dinosaurs in this hilarious story. This is the perfect book for little boys who will find themselves rolling with laughter at this bizarre explanation.

11. Edwina, The Dinosaur Who Didn’t Know She Was Extinct Mo Willems

From the author who brought you The Pigeon and Elephant & Piggie, comes a story about a lovely and kind dinosaur who doesn’t know she’s extinct.

In Edwina, The Dinosaur Who Didn’t Know She Was Extinct, everyone loves Edwina. She’s kind, helpful, and loves to bake cookies—everyone, except Reginald Von Hoobie-Doobie. Reginald is dead set on proving to everyone that Edwina doesn’t belong.

12. Captain Flinn and The Pirate Dinosaurs: The Magic Cutlass Giles Andreae

The entire Captain Flinn series is great for boys, but if you’ve followed along through dinosaur books for 3-year-olds and dinosaur books for 4-year-olds, you’re ready for the next installment of this series, which is Captain Flinn and The Pirate Dinosaurs: The Magic Cutlass.

These dinosaur stories are full of all the things little boys love—brave pirates, fierce dinosaurs, and a wild adventure.

Related: Dinosaur Books for Preschoolers & Dinosaur Books for Kids

Don’t let your child become lost in the overwhelm of formal learning. Use these dinosaur books for 5-year-olds to keep them learning their way.

Want to instill a love of reading in your kids? Don’t forget to sign up for my free email course on raising readers.