The theme for our 2026 All-Ages Summer Reading Program is Unearth a Story. We're sure you'll dig these "dino-mite" books!
Crunch, the Shy Dinosaur(Juvenile Picture Books – Ej Dun)
Say hello to Crunch the dinosaur, but not too loudly! He’s very shy. In this fun, interactive book, readers will need to be on their best behavior to coax Crunch out of hiding. A laugh-out-loud read for fans of Mo Willems’s Pigeon books. Recommended for ages 3–7.
Sam & Dave Dig a Hole(Juvenile Picture Books – Ej Bar)
Sam and Dave begin digging a hole, and they won’t stop until they find something spectacular! Readers will laugh out loud as they unearth new visual gags on each page. Recommended for ages 4–8.
Digging for Dinosaurs: Beneath the Streets(Juvenile Board Book – Board Book)
Calling all budding paleontologists! In this interactive board book, you can lift the flaps on each page to discover everything from man-made objects to dinosaur fossils hidden underground. Recommended for ages birth–4.
Titanosaur: Discovering the World’s Largest Dinosaur(Juvenile Nonfiction – J 567.913 Car)
Learn about the colossal discovery of the world’s largest dinosaur from the Argentine paleontologists who oversaw the excavation and reconstruction of the massive skeleton. Mammoth-sized pictures reveal the behind-the-scenes work of dinosaur scientists. Recommended for ages 6–10.
Dinosaurs Are Not Extinct: Real Facts About Real Dinosaurs (Juvenile Nonfiction – J 567 She)
You’ve probably seen dinosaurs at the park, eaten dinosaurs for dinner, and maybe even cleaned dinosaur poop off your family’s car. That’s right, the relatives of the mighty dinosaurs of the past are living all around us today—they're birds! This factual book explains the bird-dinosaur connection in a clear and funny way. Recommended for ages 5–9.
Trapped in the Tar Pit (Juvenile Nonfiction – J 560.178 Str)
Under a city, deep beneath the Earth's surface, there was a deep, dark pit of tar. For years, the sticky substance trapped plants and animals, and preserved them as fossils that taught humans all about the ancient world. Read all about the La Brea tar pits in this colorful picture book! Recommended for ages 4–8.
Have You Seen My Invisible Dinosaur (Juvenile Picture Books – Ej Yoo)
It’s extra hard to find your lost dinosaur friend when they're invisible and extra clean! Readers will enjoy fun mixed media illustrations and following along on a silly problem-solving adventure to locate a missing dinosaur pal. Recommended for ages 3–6.
We Dig Fossils(Juvenile Early Readers – J–ER Ago)
Ava loves fossils! Join Ava and her family as they search for fossils in nature. Filled with humor and lots of fun sounds to read aloud, this charming story will appeal to aspiring rock collectors and fossil hunters. Recommended for ages 3–7.
Old Rock (Is Not Boring)(Juvenile Picture Books – Ej Pil)
Other forest creatures think Old Rock is boring, but they don’t know how much a single rock has experienced and seen within his lifetime! This funny yet informative book may inspire kids to become their own backyard geologists. Recommended for ages 4–8.
Weirdosaurus(Juvenile Nonfiction – J 567.9 Bun)
Move over, T. rex! Kids will be sure to find a favorite new dinosaur after reading Weirdosaurus! Learn about 80 of the most obscure and weirdest-looking dinosaurs in this hilarious yet informative collection. Each dinosaur entry includes stunning stats, fascinating facts, and delightful diagrams of the bizarre beasts. Recommended for ages 5–8.
Dino Poet(Juvenile Graphic Novels – J–GN Dino Poet v. 1)
A hungry Coelophysis catches a frog to munch for lunch but decides to wait to compose a poem that’s great. Soon, both dinosaur and amphibian take a prehistoric journey, dodging both perilous predators and corny clichés. Recommended for ages 6–10.
Lulu and the Brontosaurus(Juvenile First Chapter Books – J–FC Viorst)
Lulu is a spoiled young girl who always gets what she wants for her birthday. This year, she demands a brontosaurus for a pet, and if her parents won’t give her one, she’ll just have to get one herself! Lulu’s hilariously ridiculous antics will be enjoyed by fans of Junie B. Jones and Roald Dahl. Recommended for ages 6–10.
The Dirt! : Wild Life Under the Soil’s Surface (Juvenile Graphic Novels – J–GN 591.757 Lei)
It’s not all rocks and worms in the earth below us! From microscopic slime mold to the adorable and endangered bilby, kids will learn about and enjoy beautiful illustrations of all the flora and fauna that call soil home around the world in The Dirt!: Wild Life Under the Soil’s Surface. Recommended for ages 8–12.
Sherlock Bones and the Natural History Museum(Juvenile Graphic Novels – J–GN Sherlock Bones v. 1 )
With the help of his stuffed animal best friend, Watts, Sherlock Bones solves all kinds of mysteries in his museum. Will Grace, the tricksy raccoon, get in the way of them saving the museum? Find out in this exciting graphic novel, perfect for fans of The Bad Guys. Recommended for ages 7–12.
Fossil Hunter: How Mary Anning Changed the Science of Prehistoric Life(Juvenile Nonfiction – J 921 Anning Bla)
In her lifetime, Mary Anning received little credit for her groundbreaking fossil discoveries and trailblazing paleontology practices. Fossil Hunter is a fascinating look into her life and work, capturing the imaginations of budding scientists and inspiring young girls to follow their curiosity. Recommended for ages 9–12.
Treasure Island: Runaway Gold(Juvenile Fiction – J Rhodes)
Zane and his crew of skater friends search for lost treasure in modern-day New York City in this imaginative retelling of Robert Louis Stevenson’s pirate classic Treasure Island. With the aid of a mysterious adult named John, Zane uncovers New York’s hidden history of Black oppression. Fans of American history and pirates will find enjoyment in this fast-paced adventure. Recommended for ages 10–12.
Hunted(Juvenile Fiction – J Melkiwe)
Feuding dinosaur kingdoms clash, and it’s up to an exiled oryctodromeus prince to discover the horrific truth behind the war. This fast-paced dinosaur adventure is set in an apocalyptic landscape 50 years after the “Fallen Star” asteroid struck the earth and gave certain dinosaurs the ability to speak and reason. A clever fantasy for fans of Wings of Fire and Endling. Recommended for ages 9–12.
The Windeby Puzzle(Juvenile Fiction – J Lowry)
The line between fiction and nonfiction blurs in this compelling novel based on the real-life mystery surrounding the 2,000-year-old body of a blindfolded child found preserved in a bog. Lois Lowry, author of The Giver, delivers a thrilling historical tale of young outsiders fighting for survival within their warrior clan. Recommended for ages 9–12.
Lost Time(Juvenile Graphic Novels – J–GN Mukanik Lost Time)
12-year-old Evie is stuck 60 million years in the past! All alone and surrounded by dangerous dinosaurs, she must find a way back home. This fast-paced adventure through the prehistoric wilderness will keep readers hooked while they imagine their own odds of survival in the cretaceous period. Recommended for ages 8–12.