Millions of years ago, a small dinosaur slips and scrambles, before sinking into the riverbed. Her bones lie under the earth, slowly transforming into something wonderful. Then, one day, a miner spies a shimmer of blue and green.

The Opal Dinosaur explores the amazing discovery of rare opalised bones in Yuwaalaraay Country, at a place called Lightning Ridge. Follow the journey as the bones are found, sit quietly, then finally are identified as an exciting new dinosaur species.

This wonderful book tells the story of Fostoria dhimbangunmal, its discovery by opal miners Bob and Greg Foster, its new home in the care of the Australian Opal Centre and its study - including a trip through a medical scanner! - by palaeontologist Dr Phil Bell and his colleagues. It also includes a geological time scale, an illustration showing Australia as part of the ancient continent of Gondwana, a glossary of words, a lovely illustration of one of the Australian Opal Centre’s fossil cabinets, and some excellent scientific explanations for kids (of all ages!) of how opalised fossils form.

Author: Yvonne Mes

Illustrator: Sylvia Morris

2024. Hardcover, 36 pages, 25.5 x 25.5 x 5cm.