Dinotopia is an island where humans and dinosaurs live together. No one in the outside world knows that it exists because there is a reef that completely surrounds the island. No one from outside can get to it, and no one there can leave. The only new people who come to the island are those who have been shipwrecked and rescued by the dolphins who swim around the island. New arrivals to the island are often called “dolphinbacks” for this reason. The dolphins seem to sense when there is a worthy person who needs to be rescued.

Although the dinosaurs in Dinotopia are capable of human speech and mannerisms, there is no magic in the stories, making the series more science fiction or alternate history than fantasy. The stories seem to take place during the 1800s, although exact years aren’t always given. 

The world of Dinotopia was created by James Gurney, but individual books are written by different authors. There are also Dinotopia books for adults as well as children, although I don’t cover those here.

Original Books

These four books were written by James Gurney, and they are considered the source material for all the other writers who write about Dinotopia.

Dinotopia: A Land Apart from Time (1992)

Dinotopia: The World Beneath (1995)

Dinotopia: First Flight (1999)

Dinotopia: Journey to Chandara (2007)

Chapter Books

#1 Windchaser (1995)

Two boys from very different backgrounds wash ashore in Dinotopia. As they settle in to life there, they learn lessons about friendship and trust. By Scott Cienein.

#2 River Quest (1995)

When the Polongo River dries up, Magnola and Paddlefoot are sent to investigate the cause. By John Vornholt.

#3 Hatchling (1995)

By Midori Snyder.

#4 Lost City (1996)

By Scott Cienein.

#5 Sabertooth Mountain (1996)

By John Vornholt.

#6 Thunder Falls (1996)

By Scott Cienein.

#7 Firestorm (1997)

By Gene DeWeese.

#8 The Maze (1998)

By Peter David.

#9 Rescue Party (1999)

By Mark A. Garland.

#10 Sky Dance (1999)

By Scott Cienein.

#11 Chomper (2000)

By Donald F. Glut.

#12 Return to Lost City (2000)

By Scott Cienein

#13 Survive! (2001)

By Brad Strickland.

#14 The Explorers (2001)

By Scott Cienein

#15 Dolphin Watch (2002)

By John Vornholt.

#16 Oasis (2002)

By Catherine Hapka.