After a quick education about Australia’s inland ocean we are introduced to our main character, a Pterosaur named Ferrodraco. Her name, taken from the most complete pterosaur fossil found in Australia means ‘iron dragon’. A clever addition seamlessly weaved into the story.
You may think as you begin reading that this will simply be
a timeline of the pterosaur lifecycle. Finding a mate, building a nest,
hatching eggs and learning to hunt etc. But when a cyclone separates Ferrodraco
from her family, things take an interesting turn.
What comes next is an information filled tale of Ferrodraco’s
journey across the ocean. Not only do we witness the struggles she has to overcome
to ultimately make it back home but we are presented with a myriad of other
prehistoric creatures that she interacts with along the way.
Written and illustrated by Andrew Plant, this is a perfect
example of narrative non-fiction. Pterosaurs of the Desert Ocean can
easily be read for the story alone or can be referred to again and again (which
it will be) to learn more about the creatures that roamed Australia millions of
years ago.
As with all CSIRO publications there are pages of factual
information at the end of the book. These not only include knowledge about Pterosaurs
but also a history lesson on the Eromanga Sea and how fossils are named. A
particularly important page is the glossary. Not only does it give a brief
description of each creature mentioned but it also it explains how to pronounce
their names. You may want to give this page a glance before attempting to read
out loud. Trust me, that dinosaur mad kid you are about to read to already knows
how they are meant to sound and you do not want to look like a fool.
Pterosaurs of the Desert Ocean is a must for any
dinosaur fan and is the perfect addition to any library. Head over to the CSIRO
website and you can also find lengthy teachers notes perfect for the classroom.
I cannot end without mentioning the exquisite illustrations. According to Andrew he has always had a passion for palaeoart and this love is beautifully displayed throughout the book. With the exception of one spread where Ferrodraco’s beak is slightly distorted by the ‘gutter’, the attention to detail and change of perspective add emotion to the unfolding story. This along with a superb colour pallet and artistic texture make for a book which I'm sure will become a treasured favourite.
Title: Pterosaurs of the Desert Ocean
Author/ Illustrator: Andrew Plant
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Publication Date: June 2026
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781486320257
For ages: 6+
Type: Picture Book
