The Time of the Dinosaurs: A Dangerous Journey

By Erina Linden

Yui, Enno, and We-Wow are three young dinosaurs living in the nesting highland. When the herd comes under attack, they are carried away by the river and must dodge spinosauri, hide from pterosaurs, and outthink velociraptors as they journey home. But prowling in the shadows is Kowa-the deadly, the dangerous, the dreaded TYRANNOSAURUS REX.

• Language: English
• Publisher: DIFIERI Publishing
• Release date: Nov 3, 2023
• ISBN: 9781956559088

Book preview

CONTENTS

Prologue

1  The Nesting Highland

2  A Giant Problem

3  Unknown Territory

4  The Dangers of the Night

5  Outsmarting the Velociraptors

6  Spinosaurus, Angry Triceratops, Angrier T. rex

7  Hungry Crocodiles, Sleeping Spinosaurus

8  Mischievous Lemurs, Stubborn Dilophosaurus

9  Kowa, the Terror of Windland

10 Facing the Past

Epilogue

Glossary

A map of the world Description automatically generated

PROLOGUE

Some people don’t believe that the animals at the museum come to life at night and share stories. Well, it’s true!

It was the first museum sleepover for Gaia and her twin brother, Gary. The siblings were invited by their aunt Emma, who worked at the museum. They joined a large group of children and parents, all connected by a passion for nature.

Gaia and Gary made some new friends as they played games, went on treasure hunts by torchlight, and designed dinosaur T-shirts to take home. It was surprising for everyone to see that the twins had different designs. People often assume that twins share the same interests, but that’s not always the case. Gaia loved stories and history, while Gary was interested in biology and astronomy. They had only two things in common: a passion for dinosaurs and a love for chocolate spread, which they both agreed could be eaten with everything at any time of the day or night. However, when it came to dinosaurs, their wishes differed again. Gary wanted to discover fossils, while Gaia wished to write their stories.

The night at the museum was magical. They studied rare animals, met scientists, and learned a great deal about nature. Aunt Emma delivered a presentation, and the twins were proud to have an aunt who knew everything about dinosaurs and extinct birds. The most extraordinary moment of the night was the dinosaur fact-checking contest, which Gary won. The prize included a mesmerizing dinosaur book. He tenderly held in his arms as if it were a kitten, making Gaia and Aunt Emma laugh. But after identifying the names of the birds at the Extinct Avifauna Pavilion, Gaia also received an award. It was a notebook with stunning Jurassic scenery on its cover, and she couldn’t wait to write her stories in it.

Gaia wished the night would never end, but midnight came, and it was time to sleep.

The visitors spread out sleeping bags and blankets on the museum’s main hall floor, preparing to sleep. Sculptures and glass-eyed animals watched from the walls, frozen in time. Gaia focused on the ceiling, which glowed with star-like lights. A giant blue whale looked like a space creature floating in an enchanted galaxy. The whale looked like it was smiling, and Gaia smiled back as everyone around her drifted off to sleep. Some even snored, but that was not why Gaia could not sleep—hushed voices mixed with her thoughts.

Is someone lost in the hall? whispered Gary, yawning.

You heard them, too? I thought you were asleep.

I was trying to. Gary stood up, clutching his dinosaur book like a rare treasure.

Gaia looked around but saw no movement, yet the whispers continued.

Curiosity got the best of them. Marching through a dimly lit corridor and following the strange voices, the twins ended up at the entrance of the Dinosaurs’ Hall. They peered from behind a pillar as a young voice broke the silence of the night.

"Are you sure you don’t remember any stories? Just a short one. Please!"

Gaia could not believe her eyes. Did the parasaurolophus calf move its jaw? Its elongated crest definitely moved. Did it speak? Gary was gawking, clearly shocked. Gaia was convinced it was the trick of the full moon casting its light from the tall windows, making things look like they shifted with the shadows.

Tell a story, or the calf won’t stop whining, said a pterosaur suspended from the ceiling with its wings wide open.

Gaia and Gary stared at each other in shock. It was not a trick of the light. The dinosaurs were speaking!

Are you sure you are asking because of the calf? asked a velociraptor perched on a branch. If you want a story, just say so and stop using the calf—

I am not a hatchling, snorted the pterosaur. I don’t like stories.

Stories are not only for children, said the calf. Everyone likes stories.

I don’t! growled a T. rex from the middle of the hall. Guess who the villain will be? Me.

Oh, come on, said the velociraptor. You love it.

The T. rex cleared his throat but did not respond.

You love being the terrifying beast everyone fears. The velociraptor tsked three times. But you never clarify your own facts.

What facts? grumbled the T. rex.

That you did not roar but shrieked. Then the velociraptor’s voice turned to ice. "And you. Had. Feathers!"

Loud gasps swept through the room, followed by silence.

How dare you? said the T. rex. I’ll tear you to pieces!

And you don’t correct the stories because no one would fear the feathered—

Indeed, there was a tuft of feathers on their heads, said the pterosaur.

A rumble rose from the T. rex’s throat.

Excuse me, Mr. T. Rex, sir, said the calf. According to the museum’s tour guide, some of your species had feathers; others did not. It depended on where they lived. But the T. rex babies had feather-like plumage, for sure.

They know nothing, the T. rex growled. Nothing!

I don’t remember the Time of the Dinosaurs, so I may be wrong. The calf sighed. If only I had a mother to tell me stories or a father to walk with me hand-in-hand as human children do.

Well, don’t look at me, said the T. rex. My skills are limited to frightening others.

I can’t help, either, said the velociraptor. "Parenting is not my forte. Perhaps the reptile over there could help."

Who, me? The pterosaur gasped. "I would be a terrible mother. Wait! Did you call me a reptile? I’m not a—"

Gaia pulled Gary’s sleeve, and they crouched, crawling quietly on the floor. After they found a good hiding place next to a visitors’ bench, Gary accidentally dropped his book. It fell to the floor with a loud thud. The twins froze like statues, staring at each other with panic-stricken eyes.

Worried voices filled the room. What happened? Little calf, are you all right?

It wasn’t me. I’m fine, came the voice of the calf.

Be careful, said the T. rex. Your tiny bones are fragile.

You scared me, little one, said the velociraptor. "Old bones are treacherous. Don’t trust the old bones. Just a whiff of air and crack, half of the tale is gone."

The pterosaur sighed. I’m still shaking with worry. Are you sure you are well?

I’m okay, squeaked the calf. Maybe a bit sad, but the bones are fine.

Well, let me tell you a story. The pterosaur waited for the gasps around the room to subside before continuing in a dramatic voice, "It was a dark and stormy night. I was flying over the Land of Burning Rocks. A lightning bolt flashed, illuminating a big,