HootRated mascot HootRated

New Dinosaur Library Books in Order

New Dinosaur Library is a 2-book series by Jane Burton for ages 5–8, at a grades 4–5 reading level, with gentle content (HootRated intensity 1/5).

Books
2
By publication date
Reading level
Grades 4–5
Average grade level 4.3
Recommended ages
Ages 5–8
From HootRated age ratings
Content intensity
Gentle
HootRated 1/5

New Dinosaur Library Reading Order

Series numbers aren't available for most New Dinosaur Library books, so they're listed by publication date (oldest first).

# Title Reading Level Ages Content
1 The first dinosaurs
1987
Level 4-5 5-8 Gentle
2 The Jurassic dinosaurs
1987
Level 4 5-8 Gentle

Content Intensity Across the Series

Consistent

Content stays at a steady intensity level throughout the series.

1
2
First book Latest book

Series books grow with readers — but that's also the trap. Most series start at one reading level and one content intensity and drift upward over the course of the run. New Dinosaur Library (2 books by Jane Burton) lands at a grades 4–5 reading level, with average content intensity 1/5. Intensity stays consistent across the series, so a reader who can handle the first book can generally handle the rest.

The reading-order table above lists every book with per-volume reading level, age and intensity ratings so you can spot any escalation before it catches your reader off guard. For a deeper dive into how we score text difficulty vs. emotional weight separately — and why series readers especially benefit from that split — see our methodology page.

All New Dinosaur Library Books

The first dinosaurs

Jane Burton

Cover of The first dinosaurs

The first dinosaurs

Jane Burton

Level 4-5

The Jurassic dinosaurs

Jane Burton

Cover of The Jurassic dinosaurs

The Jurassic dinosaurs

Jane Burton

Level 4 Gentle

Similar reading level, content intensity and themes.

Questions about the New Dinosaur Library series

What reading level is the New Dinosaur Library series?
New Dinosaur Library books are at a grades 4–5 reading level (average grade level 4.3), and HootRated recommends the series for ages 5–8. There are 2 books in the series.
What order should I read the New Dinosaur Library books?
Series numbers aren't available for most New Dinosaur Library books, so HootRated lists them by publication date: The first dinosaurs (1987); The Jurassic dinosaurs (1987).
What age is the New Dinosaur Library series appropriate for?
HootRated recommends New Dinosaur Library for ages 5–8. Content is gentle (HootRated intensity 1/5). Intensity stays consistent across the series, so a reader who can handle the first book can generally handle the rest.