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The First Dinosaur: How Science Solved the Greatest Mystery on Earth Hardcover – Illustrated, Oct. 8 2019
Ian Lendler (Author) Find all the books, read about the author and more. See search results for this author |
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An Orbis Picture Recommended Title
“An outstanding case study in how science is actually done: funny, nuanced, and perceptive.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Join early scientists as they piece together one of humanity’s greatest puzzles—the fossilized bones of the first dinosaur!
Dinosaurs existed. That’s a fact we accept today. But not so long ago, the concept that these giant creatures could have roamed Earth millions of years before humans was unfathomable. People thought what we know as dinosaur bones were the bones of giant humans. Of large elephants. Of angels, even.
So, how did we get from angel wings to the T-Rex? The First Dinosaur tells the story of the idea of dinosaurs, and the chain of fossil discoveries and advances in science that led to that idea. Be prepared to meet eccentric men and overlooked women who uncovered the pieces to a puzzle so much bigger than themselves, a puzzle far stranger and more spectacular than they could have ever imagined.
- Reading age10 years and up
- Print length224 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Lexile measure1000L
- Dimensions18.26 x 2.03 x 23.18 cm
- PublisherMargaret K. McElderry Books
- Publication dateOct. 8 2019
- ISBN-101534427007
- ISBN-13978-1534427006
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Product description
Review
"Vibrant and inviting....Both a dinosaur book and a history book, this is a fascinating narrative history." ― School Library Journal
“Lendler offers a thoroughly engaging history of myriad milestones that were crossed before anyone could believe in dinosaurs’ existence.” ― BCCB
About the Author
C.M. Butzer was raised in a small town, just outside of Portland, Oregon. In 1992 Butzer left Oregon to attend Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle where he earned a BFA in illustration. After school he worked for Wizards of the Coast. In 1998 he moved to Florence, Italy, where he met Luigi Galante, who ran a didactic illustration studio. He worked for Studio Galante for nearly five years before moving to New York City to earn his MFA in illustration at the School Visual Arts. In 2009 he published Gettysburg, his first graphic novel. He taught “Creating Independent Comics” at SVA and is working on new comics, screenprints, and a myriad of thing drawn and printed. Butzer also works as an illustrator, storyboard, and concept artist out of his studio in Hilo, Hawaii. His work has been featured in the Society of Illustrators, American Library Association, and the Graphic Novel Reporter.
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Product details
- Publisher : Margaret K. McElderry Books; Illustrated edition (Oct. 8 2019)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 224 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1534427007
- ISBN-13 : 978-1534427006
- Item weight : 835 g
- Dimensions : 18.26 x 2.03 x 23.18 cm
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,450,103 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Serious Bio:
Ian Lendler is an award-winning author of picture books, non-fiction, and graphic novels. His most recent middle grade non-fiction, The First Dinosaur, was voted Kirkus Best of 2019, an NSTA Best of 2019, an Orbus Pictus Recommended Title, a Crystal Kite Honor, and Cybil Award winner. It was also selected by the Junior Library Guild
His graphic novel series, The Stratford Zoo Presents..., was voted Best of 2015 by a number of state library societies as well as being a Junior Library Guild Selection.
Not so serious Bio:
Ian Lendler is, first and foremost, a person.
After that, the details get a bit sketchy. We're pretty sure he has two arms and two legs. There are rumors of a third thumb, which you may laugh about now but let's see what you think 1,000 years from now when evolution decides that three thumbs is way better because you can use can-openers more efficiently and hitchhike with aplomb and everyone will laugh about the old days when everyone was a "two-thumber."
But I digress.
I am a writer. My books are below. I sincerely hope you enjoy them. Kirkus has called my writing "ridiculously entertaining." My children have called me "embarrassing." Feel free to drop me a line and tell me your thoughts. I live near San Francisco, CA. Thank you for visiting.
Customer reviews
Top reviews from other countries


The book is really a mystery—how did we come up with the *idea* of dinosaurs? Answering that question, Lendler takes young readers on a journey through the origins of science. I love how each chapter ends on a scientific cliffhanger. Definitely hearing, “One more chapter, Dad? Pleeeeeease???”

