When Dinosaurs Roamed Australia by Sarah Jane Lightfoot

Millions of years before you and me, living in wetlands and by the sea, lurking in lakes and green forest floors, Australia was home to dinosaurs.

Journey back in time to the Cretaceous period and meet the dinosaurs that roamed Australia millions of years ago.  

From the get-go, author and illustrator Sarah Jane Lightfoot appeals to her readers. Bright colours parade across the cover, alongside metallic lettering and tactile dinosaur footprints.

Gorgeous vibrant endpapers draw readers in even more before the story of Australia's dinosaurs begins.

Written in rhythmic verse, Lightfoot invites readers on an adventure to the prehistoric past. She takes readers from the giants in the sky to deep below the ocean, and even into the realm of polar dinosaurs. It's a simple, yet sweet, exploration of the dinosaurs.

Her illustrations are a delight, with Australia brought to life in watercolour and texture. Eagle-eyed readers may also spot some fossils of their own peeking from the pages. The dinosaurs themselves are gorgeous, but Lightfoot doesn't forget the scenery adding the most beautiful flora into each page. 

Woven into each illustration is the scientific name for each beast, along with helpful pronunciation guides. Lightfoot invites readers to explore the dinosaur world further, with more facts at the end of the story, alongside a fossil map of Australia.

When Dinosaurs Roamed Australia is a wonderful romp through history that younger readers, dinosaur lovers or not, will love.

Reviewer: Rebekah Lyell

Affirm Press