Kevin, a T-Rex hatchling was at the E.P. Foster Library Wednesday afternoon on August 9th. Kevin joined me for reading some Dinosaur Tales and discussion of Dinosaur Facts with the youngsters and their big kid parents. We started by going around the room asking everyone which was their favorite Dinosaur. No surprise Tyrannosaurus Rex received an overwhelming number of votes. Brachiosaurus, Brontosaurus, Spinosaurus and Stegosaurus received mentions. Augustynolophus and Amargasaurus are of particular interest to me, as Dinosaurs that I wish to bring to the Park. Augustynolophus is in process. I submitted plans to Gilbert Ramos of FountainsGardenArt.net to make Angie a little Augustynolophus.
Steve Brusetta’s Giant “Dinosaur” book was used to review the statistics and view the beautiful illustrations of these wonderful animals. We talked about the size and weight of a number of Dinosaurs weighing 10’s of 1,000’s of lbs.! T-Rex’s bone crushing teeth. Since everyone loves T-Rex, I introduced the group to Tarbosaurus a very close relative to T-Rex found in Asia. Tarbosaurus fossils are very common in Mongolia and China. Pterodactyl was one young man’s favorite. Which prompted the discussion that Pterosaurs are not Dinosaurs but relatives on a different branch of the family tree. “Pterosaurs” by Mark P. Witton is an excellent book all about Pterosaurs and their numerous types. I purchased this book due to the detailed skeletal structure, how they launched into flight and the beautiful illustrations. All will be very useful for designing Pterosaurs for the Park. California’s soon to be Official State Dinosaur Augustynolophus was celebrated.
I read my book “Is a Metal Dinosaur the Right Pet for You?” to introduce PaulsPrehistoricPark.com to the group and assist in explaining Activities at the Park. A pop-up book “Encyclopedia Prehistorica Dinosaurs” by Robert Sabuda & Matthew Reinhart, “Goldi Locks and the Three Dinosaurs” by Mo Willems, “Edwina the Dinosaur that Didn’t Know She was Extinct” by Mo Willems and “How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?” by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague were also used to entertain the group.
The story of the dining room table inside a sculpted life-size dinosaur by artist Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins for Sir Richard Owen’s, which hosted New Year’s Eve in 1853 was a hit. One of the many true tales in the pop-up book. Mo Willems books were very funny and enjoyed by all.
After the reading Phillip Yocham, Librarian had a craft for the kids – young & older. Everyone made their own paper dinosaurs. My talk about the Amargasaurus seemed to have inspired a number of the paper dinosaurs created. Or maybe it was the photos of the Diplodocus in the giant “Dinosaur” book by Steve Brusatte.
The weekend of September 23rd & 24th is “Dino Fest” at the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles. I will be there with a couple of Dinosaurs from the Park. It will be everything Dinosaur! Check out the details http://www.nhm.org And Don’t Forget the Dinosaur Encounters – a life size puppet show as well as they many other activities scheduled to make it a Dinotastic Weekend!
“Encouraging the Appreciation of Art and Education through the Inspiration of Dinosaurs”
Paul & Prehistoric Pals
Your feedback is appreciated, Thank you!