Pterosaurs of the Desert Ocean
By: Andrew Plant
Take a flight across prehistoric Australia, following a pterosaur searching for her family.
A pterosaur glides over a desert ocean. + Full description
Taking flight across prehistoric Australia, she searches for her family along the shores of the great Eromanga Sea. Follow her journey and discover a time when dinosaurs dominated the land and pterosaurs ruled the skies.
Step back over 100 million years in this engaging and exquisitely illustrated book by Andrew Plant.
Reading level varies from child to child, but we recommend this book for ages 6 to 12.
"This book is a treasure for young readers and future palaeontologists, offering a glimpse into the extraordinary animals that once called Australia home. With his masterful illustrations, Andrew Plant has transformed ancient fossils into unforgettable creatures."
– Adele Pentland, palaeontologist
Reviews
"Magnificent illustrations bring to life an unfamiliar Australia almost impossible to imagine... each spread is intensely dynamic with colour, light and action... This engaging book will satisfy both dinosaur enthusiasts and those interested in natural history."
Mia Macrossan, Story Links, 12 July 2026
"This is a gentle story that introduces young readers to the prehistoric animals that lived during the age of the pterosaurs. In the back of the book are information pages that provide further facts about these great animals. Plant’s illustrations capture both the beauty and wonder of this ancient world, while the text makes the science feel accessible and exciting."
Jane Stephens, Good Reading Magazine, July 2026
"The fabulous colour illustrations across double page spreads add to the engagement of text. Layered throughout the story are facts galore, offering interested readers plenty to discover as they journey through the ancient landscape. An entertaining and absorbing read with valuable information in the concluding pages, plus excellent Teacher Notes to support learning."
Kathryn Beilby, ReadPlus, 3 July 2026
"[T]hrough his meticulous research into the flora and fauna of the time, so that both the text and the illustrations are as accurate as possible, Plant has created an intimate narrative that puts that long-ago world into the realm of the young reader... The time Plant spent in researching and writing this book will be well rewarded as young minds and imaginations are opened up to the possibilities. Who could ask for more?"
Barbara Braxton, The Bottom Shelf, 10 July 2026
Details
Hardback | June 2026 | $ 32.99ISBN: 9781486320257 | 40 pages | 280 x 215 mm
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Colour illustrations
ePDF | June 2026
ISBN: 9781486320264
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Available from eRetailers
ePUB | June 2026
ISBN: 9781486320271
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Available from eRetailers
Features
- A fascinating narrative non-fiction story featuring Australia’s pterosaurs, dinosaurs and prehistoric marine reptiles.
- Follows the journey of ‘Ferrodraco’, an Australian pterosaur with a wingspan of over four metres.
- Includes exceptional and detailed colour illustrations.
- Contains information pages covering the species, location and habitats explored in the story.
Contents
Main storyThe Eromanga Sea
Scientific names
Pterosaurs
Prehistoric creatures
Glossary
Acknowledgement & Note
Authors
Andrew Plant trained as a zoologist, but has been an illustrator and author for over 30 years. He loves creating stories about animals, whether they are alive or extinct. He is also the illustrator of the children's picture book Diprotodon: A Megafauna Journey.
For Teachers
We have created these Teacher Notes as a free PDF download to support the use of this book in the classroom.
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