Dino Fest Resources Guide
STAFF RECOMMENDED BOOKS, MOVIES AND PODCASTS
LIBROS, PELÍCULAS Y PODCASTS RECOMENDADOS POR EL PERSONAL
Dinosaur Institute Work | Trabajo del Instituto de dinosaurios
READ | LEER
Birds of Stone by Luis Chiappe
Dr. Luis Chiappe, Senior Vice President, Research and Collections: “This book explores the amazing menagerie of birds that lived in China during the Age of Dinosaurs, and what they tell us about the early evolution of birds.”
Glorified Dinosaurs by Luis Chiappe
Dr. Luis Chiappe, Senior Vice President, Research and Collections: “This book discusses the history of the many hypotheses and studies related to the origin of birds, and it presents the evidence in support of the notion that birds are living dinosaurs.”
The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs: A New History of a Lost World by Steve Brusatte
Paul Byrne, Graduate Student, Dinosaur Institute: “This book is wonderfully written for people wanting to learn more about the evolution of dinosaurs on a broad scale..” Guided by different points in the evolutionary history of the dinosaurs, this book follows researchers from around the world to uncover the prehistoric past. NHM’s Associate Curator of the Dino Institute Nathan Smith, and his work on dinosaurs of the Triassic, is featured in one of the beginning chapters.
Dinosaur Eggs Discovered! Unscrambling the Clues by Lowell Dingus, Luis M. Chiappe, and Rodolfo Coria
Director of the Dinosaur Institute and Senior VP of Research and Collections Dr. Luis Chiappe leads an expedition to uncover the remains of pint-sized baby titanosaurs. This discovery gave researchers an unprecedented look into the development of some of the biggest dinosaurs.
Here We Go Digging for Dinosaur Bones by Susan Lendroth and Bob Kolar
This charming book is perfect for the youngest paleontologist in the family. With our own Alan Zdinak consulting on this project, this book follows a dinosaur dig set to the tune of “Here We Go ‘Round the Mulberry Bush.”
Smithsonian Dig It: Dinosaurs & Other Prehistoric Creatures by Corinna Bechko and Brenda Scott Royce
Written by comic book writer and NHM’s fossil preparator Corinna Bechko, this book takes young readers on a journey through the Mesozoic to meet all sorts of fascinating prehistoric creatures. Once their journey is done, they can put their knowledge to the test and uncover the Triceratops skeleton in the included sand brick.
WATCH | OBSERVAR
Ryan’s Mystery Playdate: Ryan’s Jurassic Playdate (Nick Jr.)
Based on the hit YouTube channel Ryan’s World, this show is full of fun and engaging games, as well as a few great cameos. One cameo includes our very own Associate Curator of the Dinosaur Institute Nathan Smith! He’s joined by Craig Robinson to teach about paleontology and have some dino-sized fun!
"Dinosaurs Alive! 3D" (Amazon Prime).
Nathan Smith, Associate Curator, Dinosaur Institute: “In addition to following along on an expedition collecting dinosaurs from Mongolia, this film documented some of our first field season in the Triassic Hayden Quarry at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico, including the discovery of a new dinosaur we would later name Tawa hallae. You can learn more about this discovery here”: https://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/tawa/
LISTEN | ESCUCHAR
Bad Science
This podcast examines the science (good or bad) of some of our favorite films and TV shows by pairing a scientist with a comedian. Several episodes have featured our very own researchers and fossil excavators, including:
- JURASSIC PARK w/ Scott Rogowsky & Alyssa Bell: This episode discusses the landmark film and how it compares to the real paleontological experience, featuring NHM paleontologist Dr. Alyssa Bell.
- JURASSIC WORLD w/ Sophia Hocini and Dr. Alyssa Bell: This episode brings back Dr. Alyssa Bell to examine the successor to the original trilogy.
- ICE AGE w/ Eric Jackowitz & Laura Tewksbury: Featuring La Brea Tar Pits excavator Laura Tewksbury, this episode looks back on the classic animated film and how it holds up to the real La Brea experience.