How To Find A Dinosaur
How to Find a Dinosaur, written by palaeontologist Dr. Dave Hone
Hachette Children's Group
Published: 3th March 2025
How to Find a Dinosaur is an engaging, beautifully illustrated guide that takes young readers out of the classroom and straight into the field. Instead of just showcasing finished skeletons, this book demystifies the actual science, tools, and teamwork behind discovering prehistoric life. From mapping out dig sites to the meticulous work inside museum conservation labs, the book transforms complex scientific methods into a thrilling, accessible adventure for young explorers.
Ultimately, How to Find a Dinosaur proves that nonfiction doesn't have to be dry to be accurate. Through a tight partnership between author and illustrator, we successfully turned a massive, technical subject into a clear, visually digestible journey that respects both the science and the curious minds of our young audience.
The Creative Process & Collaboration
As the illustrator, my goal was to bridge the gap between rigorous scientific accuracy and the visual language that resonates with young readers. This project was a deeply collaborative effort from day one. Working hand-in-hand with the author, Dr. Dave Hone, we mapped out each page to ensure that the technical aspects of paleontology were never lost in translation.
Here is how we brought the factual world of dinosaur hunting to life for our audience.
Translating Tech into Visuals: Paleontological tools and stratigraphy can easily overwhelm a young reader. Dr. Hone and I collaborated closely to break down these complex workflows into clear, step-by-step visual narratives. I focused on clean layouts and relatable visual metaphors so that tools like pneumatics and jackets felt exciting and easy to understand.
Fact-Checking the Details: Accuracy was paramount. Because Dr. Hone is an active palaeontologist, we were able to combine his expertise with museum insights to ensure every detail—from the specific grid lines used at a matrix dig to the precise equipment found in modern conservation labs—was technically correct. If a museum tool looked too intimidating, we brainstormed ways to simplify its shape without losing its real-world authenticity.
Balancing Science with Play: We constantly balanced the density of the information with a sense of wonder. By keeping the color palette vibrant and the characters highly expressive, we ensured that the step-by-step museum preparation scenes felt like a behind-the-scenes pass rather than a textbook lesson.
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