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  • Can You Dig It?!
Staff Picks

Can You Dig It?!

  • Tristan M.
  • Friday, May 22

Collection

Future archaeologists and paleontologists unite! We've excavated a bunch of exciting reads all about fossils, excavations, and more.

Dinosaur Atlas

Dinosaur Atlas

When They Roamed, How They Lived, and Where We Firnd Their Fossils
Published in 2022
"Kids will explore the world of dinosaurs in this new atlas, featuring T. Rex, Spinosaurus, Triceratops, Diplodocus, Brontosaurus, and more, covering ancient Pangaea to the modern-day continents and such topics as fossils and prehistoric landscapes"-- Provided by publisher.
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Meet the Megafauna!

Meet the Megafauna!

Get to Know 20 of the Largest Animals to Ever Roam the Earth
Balkan, Gabrielle, author.
Published in 2023
An interactive (complete with gatefolds!), large-format exploration of megafauna, the mostly-extinct class of ginormous animals that thrived during the Pleistocene era after the extinction of the dinosaurs. Meet a giant armored armadillo, a giant sloth, and the three megafauna still found on earth today--African Bush Elephant, Masai Giraffe, and the Blue Whale.
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Book
 
Fossil Hunter

Fossil Hunter

How Mary Anning Changed the Science of Prehistoric Life
Blackford, Cheryl, author.
Published in 2022
"A fascinating, highly visual biography of Mary Anning, the Victorian fossil hunter who changed scientific thinking about prehistoric life and would become one of the most celebrated paleontologists of all time. Mary Anning grew up on the south coast of England in a region rich in fossils. As teenagers, she and her brother Joseph discovered England's first complete ichthyosaur. Poor and uneducated, Anning would become one of the most celebrated paleontologists ever, though in her time she supported herself selling by fossils and received little formal recognition. Her findings helped shape scientific thinking about extinction and prehistoric life long before Darwin published his famous work on evolution. With engaging text, photographs, and stunning paleoart, Fossil Hunter introduces this self-taught scientist, now recognized as one of the greatest fossilists the world has ever known. "-- Amazon.
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Book
 
Above, Below and Long Ago

Above, Below and Long Ago

Animals, Plants and Fossils in Hidden Places
Bright, Michael, author.
Published in 2025
"This nonfiction picture book for middle-grade readers takes a close look at animals and plants around the world that are in the air, hidden below ground or lived long ago. Illustrated with linocut prints."-- Provided by publisher.
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Book
 
The Secrets of Tutankhamun

The Secrets of Tutankhamun

Egypt's Boy King and His Incredible Tomb
Cleveland-Peck, Patricia, author.
Published in 2018
The story of Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun's tomb and its discovery by British archaeologist Howard Carter.
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Book
 
Out of the Ice

Out of the Ice

How Climate Change is Revealing the Past
Eamer, Claire, 1947- author.
Published in 2018
"As the Earth's climate continues to warm, the permafrost melts, glaciers are receding and ice patches are shrinking. It is a unique time on our planet, one that has resulted in a treasury of preserved organic material (e.g., caribou droppings and human and animal remains) and inorganic artifacts (e.g., tools and clothing) is being revealed by the big melt, providing us with entirely new information about how people and animals lived up to several thousand years ago. But it's a race against time for archaeologists because as soon as the objects begin to thaw, they also begin to disintegrate."-- (Source of summary not specified).
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Book
 
Digging Up Dinosaur Fossils in South America

Digging Up Dinosaur Fossils in South America

Greve, Meg, author.
Published in 2025
"Long before humans, jaguars, and the terrifying anaconda, dinosaurs ruled South America. They may be extinct now, but the bones that these creatures left behind help us understand what life was really like 200 million years ago. With the help of paleontologists and their studies, we can dig up real-life dinosaurs in our own imaginations. Digging Up Dinosaur Fossils tells the story of these fierce beasts, the people who helped discover them, and the history of our world as we know it"--Provided by publisher.
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Book
 
The Street Beneath My Feet

The Street Beneath My Feet

Guillain, Charlotte, author.
Published in 2017
This book, constructed on one continuous folded page, explores the layers of the Earth from human-made structures like sewers, subways and archeological finds, down through various formations of rock, to the Earth's core and back up again.
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Book
 
Prehistoric Worlds

Prehistoric Worlds

Hall, Ashley (Paleontologist), author.
Published in 2024
"Take children on a fascinating journey through history, showing them how and where their favorite dinosaurs came to exist, and how events from billions of years ago are still affecting our natural world today. Packed with dynamic historical content, Prehistoric Worlds combines illustrations and photos to help young historians aged 7-9 learn all about the period that shaped our planet. Meet favorite dinosaurs, from the terrifying T.Rex to the spiky stegosaurus; nurture your inner paleontologist by learning about prehistoric plant and animal fossils; and discover destructive extinction events that changed the world forever."
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Book
 
Fossils

Fossils

Hansen, Grace, author.
Published in 2016
Do you know what a fossil is or how it is made? Hansen uses simple text and colorful photographs to teach you about some of the types of fossils and where they are found.
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Book
 
Living Fossils

Living Fossils

Survivors from Earth's Distant Past
Hirsch, Rebecca E., author.
Published in 2021
"Blue-blooded crabs? Platypus that sting? One-hundred-year old reptiles? Meet some of nature's longest-surviving species! Discover the stories of these incredible animals and find out how they help scientists piece together evolutionary history"-- Provided by publisher.
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Book
 
Bones Unearthed!

Bones Unearthed!

Hollihan, Kerrie Logan, author.
Published in 2020
"Discover all the mysteries, facts, and discoveries about skeletons that are creepy-and true-in the much-anticipated companion to Mummies Exposed! and Ghosts Unveiled! The Creepy and True series explores strange phenomena, fun facts, and out of the ordinary discoveries. Have you ever wondered what lies beneath our feet? Bones have a story to tell-and not always a happy one. Bones Unearthed!, book 3 of the Creepy and True series, investigates remarkable discoveries of skeletal remains and what they revealabout human civilization. Combining fascinating history with science, award-winning author Kerrie Logan Hollihan unearths the truth about famous bones by exploring forensic evidence, archaeology, anthropology, medicine, and folklore. Meticulously researched and respectful, yet light and humorous in tone, these cryptic tales of murder and mayhem span across cultures and millennia, covering everything from Aztec skull racks, the cannibals of Jamestown, and Benjamin Franklin's basement boneyard, to frozen sailors in the Arctic and the centuries-long search for the body of King Richard III. From cemeteries to laboratories to excavation sites around the world, Bones Unearthed! digs deep into the graves of the dearly departed. For readers who can't get enough of the macabre, this quirky nonfiction narrative will disturb and delight. Includes color illustrations throughout, as well as endnotes, bibliography, and index"-- Provided by publisher.
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Book
 
Forgotten Bones

Forgotten Bones

Uncovering a Slave Cemetery
Huey, Lois Miner, author.
Published in 2016
Details the archaeological discovery of thirteen skeletons in upstate New York that were identified as eighteenth century slaves from the Schuyler farm.
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Book
 
Human Fossils

Human Fossils

Hyde, Natalie.
Published in 2014
Introduces "the timeline of key discoveries in human fossils, and [explores] how scientists continue to link together the evolution of humanity using evidence from the past"--Amazon.com.
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Book
 
Dinosaur Fossils

Dinosaur Fossils

Hyde, Natalie, 1963-
Published in 2014
Invites students to walk with the dinosaurs, learning about what they looked like, what they ate, and how they lived. From fossilized teeth to ancient footprints, students will explore how studying the different parts of a dinosaur fossil show paleontologists how these amazing creatures lived before their mass extinction over 65 million years ago.
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Book
 
Fossils Tell Stories

Fossils Tell Stories

Kim, Yu-ri author.
Published in 2015
Describes fossils, how they form, and what qualifies as a fossil. Includes questions and a hands-on activity.
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Book
 
Mysterious Bones

Mysterious Bones

The Story of Kennewick Man
Kirkpatrick, Katherine, author.
Published in 2011
Presents the story of Kennewick Man, one of the oldest and most complete skeletons found in America near the Columbia River in Washington.
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Book
 
The Bone Wars

The Bone Wars

The True Story of an Epic Battle to Find Dinosaur Fossils
Kurtz, Jane, author.
Published in 2023
"Discover the true story of the race between two paleontologists, O. C. Marsh and Edward Cope, to find dinosaur fossils in this nonfiction picture book"-- Provided by publisher.
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Book
 
Dinosaur

Dinosaur

Lambert, David, 1932- author.
Published in 2021
Packed with incredible statistics and facts about dinosaurs written in easy-to-grasp text, this kids book will help cultivate the paleontologists of tomorrow.
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Book
 
Here We Go Digging for Dinosaur Bones

Here We Go Digging for Dinosaur Bones

Lendroth, Susan/ Kolar, Bob (ILT)
Published in 2020
"Young paleontologists are invited on a fossil dig, set to the tune of Here We Go 'Round the Mulberry Bush. Hike the trail, scan the ground, and make a find--then discover how to build a dinosaur from its bones. Includes song motions and bite-size science sidebars. This is a fun and distinctive young dinosaur book."-- Provided by publisher.
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Book
 
At Home in Her Tomb

At Home in Her Tomb

Lady Dai and the Ancient Chinese Treasures of Mawangdui
Liu-Perkins, Christine, author.
Published in 2013
" ... Unearths the mysteries of the Mawangdui (mah-wahng-dway) tombs, one of China's top archaeological finds of the last century. Miniature servants, mysterious silk paintings, scrolls of long-lost secrets, and the best preserved mummy in the world (the body of Lady Dai) are just some of the artifacts that shed light upon life in China during the Han dynasty." -- From Amazon.com.
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Book
 
My Book of Fossils

My Book of Fossils

Lomax, Dean R., author.
Published in 2022
"Unearth the treasures from the prehistoric world underneath your feet. From glittering ammonites to razor-sharp dinosaur claws and delicate leaf impressions, uncover our world's prehistoric past through the incredible fossils left behind. Arranged by plant or animal type, there are profiles of 50 key fossils, including well-loved favorites, such as Triceratops, and more curious remains, such as fossil fish teeth. Learn all about how fossils form, where they are found, and how ancient animals are reconstructed. Filled with facts and containing newly discovered species, even the biggest fossil fans will learn something new from this book. Stunning photographs can be studied in detail, while pronunciation guides help with tricky names, and a visual index provides a quick overview of all the key plants and animals in the book."-- Amazon.
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My Mastodon

My Mastodon

Lowell, Barbara, author.
Published in 2020
Inspired by the 19th-century work of the Peale family, young Sybilla helps assemble a mastodon skeleton in the family's museum, then refuses to let her brother exhibit it in London. Includes historical notes.
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Book
 
Fossils, Rocks, and Minerals

Fossils, Rocks, and Minerals

Lüsted, Marcia Amidon, author.
Published in 2022
This field guide has 100 entries highlighting a variety of fossils, rocks, and minerals. Readers will gain a greater understanding about these objects and will be able to identify them in the wild. Features include a helpful introduction to the topic, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards.
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Book
 
Tales of Ancient Worlds

Tales of Ancient Worlds

Milosavljevich, Stefan, author.
Published in 2022
"What links shipwrecks, Egyptian treasure, and fossilized Viking poop? They're all things that have been discovered by archaeologists! Pick up your shovel and Indiana Jones hat and dig into the world of archaeology in this nonfiction kids' book by YouTuber Stefan Milosavljevich. Alongside beautiful illustrations by Sam Caldwell you'll find incredible tales from history, including: The ancient Egyptian city found at the bottom of the ocean The terracotta army that hid underground for 2,000 years The mysterious Ice Age temple made from mammoth bones Along the way you'll also find out if you have what it takes to be an archaeologist, unearth (literally) groundbreaking scientific techniques, and meet the pioneering women and men who have brought the past back to life"-- Provided by publisher.
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Book
 
Tales of the Prehistoric World

Tales of the Prehistoric World

Moore, Kallie, author.
Published in 2022
"Take a trip to the ancient past to come face-to-face with legendary dinosaurs such as T. rex, Stegosaurus, and Triceratops. Find out about jaw-dropping discoveries, including dinosaurs that turned nto gemstones, pterosaurs the size of airplanes, and the island of the last mammoths."-- Back of cover.
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Book
 
Tooth & Claw

Tooth & Claw

The Dinosaur Wars
Noyes, Deborah, author.
Published in 2019
"Tells the story of the feverish race between two ... competitive scientists--Edward Drinker Cope and Othniel Charles Marsh--to uncover [dinosaur] fossils in the newly opened Wild West. Between them, they discovered dozens of major dinosaur species and established the new discipline of paleontology in America. But their bitter thirty-year rivalry--a 'war' waged on wild plains and mountains, in tabloid newsprint, and in Congress--dramatically wrecked their professional and private lives even as it brought alive for the public a vanished prehistoric world."--Dust jacket flap.
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Book
 
Paleontology Lab

Paleontology Lab

Explore Prehistoric Life with Art & Activities
Olson, Elsie, 1986- author.
Published in 2024
This title explores tools, methods, discoveries, and careers in the Paleontology field. Accompanying the main text are activities from a felt mammoth to soap fossils. These crafts encourage readers to engage with what they learned, solidifying their new knowledge. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards.
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Book
 
Ancestory

Ancestory

[The Mystery and Majesty of Ancient Cave Art]
Salyer, Hannah, author, illustrator.
Published in 2023
"Around the world, our ancient ancestors' mysterious art is left behind on cave walls, in rain forests, and with ink made from charcoal and crushed clay. These people told their stories in magnificent drawings that still speak to us today, echoing across generations. In her own stunning artwork that features the deserts of North America to the caves of Papua New Guinea, Hannah Salyer showcases ancient rock paintings, drawings, and etchings and invites us to add to the ongoing story--our ancestory"-- Provided by publisher.
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Book
 
You Can Be a Paleontologist!

You Can Be a Paleontologist!

Sampson, Scott D.
Published in 2017
"Ever wondered how to find a dinosaur? Paleontologist Dr. Scott Sampson, host of Dinosaur Train on PBS Kids, tells kids how! How do paleontologists find dinosaur bones? How do they know what dinosaurs ate or looked like? And what is paleontology, anyway? Dr. Scott tackles all these questions and more while inspiring kids to go out and make the next big dino discovery!"-- Provided by Publisher
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Book
 
Dinosaur Lady

Dinosaur Lady

The Daring Discoveries of Mary Anning, the First Paleontologist
Skeers, Linda, author.
Published in 2020
"As a kid, Mary Anning loved hunting for fossils with her father. One day, that hobby led to an unexpected discovery: the skeleton of a creature no one had never seen before! Mary had unearthed a dinosaur fossil, the first to ever be discovered. Her find reshaped scientific beliefs about the natural world and led to the beginning of a brand new field of study: paleontology. For the rest of her life, Mary continued to make astonishing finds and her fossils are displayed in museums all across the world! The daring discoveries of Mary Anning not only changed the scientific world, but also helped change people's attitudes towards women scientists. Dinosaur Lady is a beautiful and brilliant picture book that will enlighten children about the discovery of the dinosaurs and the importance of women scientists."-- Provided by publisher.
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Book
 
Stones and Bones

Stones and Bones

Archaeology in Action
Steele, Kathryn.
Published in 2013
Discusses the work of archaeologists and describes the sites and artifacts they work with, including such things as ancient cities and burial grounds, temples, sunken ships, tools, and writing tablets.
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Book
 
Rhinos in Nebraska

Rhinos in Nebraska

The Amazing Discovery of the Ashfall Fossil Beds
Stevens, Alison Pearce, author.
Published in 2021
"Twelve million years ago, rhinos, elephants, and giraffes roamed North America. They would gather at nearby watering holes-eating, drinking, and trying not to become someone else's lunch. But one day, in what we now know as Nebraska, everything changed. The explosion of a supervolcano a thousand miles away sent a blanket of ash that buried these animals for millennia. Until 1953, when a seventeen-year-old farm worker made an unbelievable discovery. This is the first book to be published about the Ashfall Fossil Beds, where more than two hundred perfectly preserved fossils have been found. Step into the past with author Alison Pearce Stevens, who has worked with many of the Ashfall researchers at the University of Nebraska State Museum"-- Provided by publisher.
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Book
 
Dinosaurs

Dinosaurs

Stevenson, Paul, author.
Published in 2026
"Get ready to discover the incredible world of dinosaurs. From huge plant-eaters the size of buildings to tiny creatures no bigger than a bird, dinosaurs came in all shapes and sizes. Discover how the terrifying T. rex hunted its prey, what the fastest dinosaur of all time was, and what caused the dinosaurs to become extinct."--Back cover.
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Book
 
Trapped in the Tar Pit

Trapped in the Tar Pit

How Paleontologists Unearthed a City's Prehistoric Past
Stremer, Jessica.
Published in 2025
Dig down, down, down into the history of an ancient tar pit in this fascinating nonfiction picture book about one of the most exciting fossil discoveries of the modern day! Thousands of years ago, ancient animals roamed the Earth, unaware there was a lot of sticky tar hidden deep beneath their feet...until one day, an earthquake caused it to seep up to the surface. When unsuspecting animals stepped into the tar, they got stuck! Centuries later, in the early 1900s, people started exploring the tar pit and found more bones the deeper they dug. Eventually, scientists realized the bones weren't just any old bones but perfectly preserved fossils of ancient animals, just waiting to be dug up and puzzled back together! Uncover this true story of a miraculous scientific discovery in the most unexpected of places.
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Book
 
Dinosaurs in Space

Dinosaurs in Space

Sturgell, Todd, author.
Published in 2024
"Dinosaur fossils are found all over the world . . . and even on the moon?! Dinosaurs lived on this planet millions of years ago. We know about the dinosaurs from the fossils they left behind. But did you know some of those fossils might be on the moon? The dinosaurs in this book think that must mean there are Dinosaurs in Space! But is that really what happened? In this silly science lesson gone wrong, discover what happens when dinosaurs let their imaginations run wild while learning about real scientific theories. These dinos are determined to boldly go where no dinosaur has gone before: space!"--Jacket flap.
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Book
 
Fossil

Fossil

Taylor, Paul D., author.
Published in 2023
Packed with striking photography, Eyewitness Fossil explores the creatures and plants that lived long ago. Become an eyewitness to the natural treasures found in rocks in this picture-led reference guide that will take you on a visual tour of all things fossils. Children will be mesmerized by the bones, teeth, and plants from long ago that have all been turned to rock. This beautifully illustrated guide for kids aged 9+ gives an insight into how paleontologists learn about ancient life forms. Striking photographs, detailed diagrams, and lots of examples of fossils help you to learn what can be discovered around the world and why some fossils lead to new discoveries about the past.
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Figuring out Fossils

Figuring out Fossils

Walker, Sally M.
Published in 2013
This book describes the process through which fossils are created, and what we can learn from them.
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Is This the Biggest Dinosaur Ever?

Is This the Biggest Dinosaur Ever?

Discover the Science Behind Paleontology (pay-lee-on-TOH-luh-jee)
Watson, Olivia, author.
Published in 2025
"Why is science so important? It saves lives, connects us with our natural world, and helps us build a brighter future. The Big Questions Answered series explores the many fields of science, making the stories behind great discoveries accessible and engaging for inquisitive young minds. Dive into the extraordinary world of paleontology to discover... Is this the biggest dinosaur ever? Hundreds of different dinosaurs used to roam the Earth, their long necks towering over treetops, huge feet shaking the ground, and strong tails swinging in battle, but which was the biggest of all? This gigantic discovery started with just one fossilized bone..."-- Publisher.
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Tristan M.

Customer Service Specialist

Lover of poetry, magical realism, and all sorts of children's literature. Will read just about any book with words in it.

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