Books About Extinction

The Best Extinction Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for our other guide?

Explore our editor-reviewed guide to Conservation Books, featuring 12 favorites and recommendations by age.

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Looking for excellent children's books about extinction? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Extinction

Hello, Mr. Dodo!
Sale price
$1697
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2017

Hello, Mr. Dodo!

By Nicholas John Frith

A girl befriends a doughnut-loving dodo. Can she keep him secret?

32 pages· 525 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud
6.5/7 Bookroo·4.0/5 Goodreads · 242 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Martha, a bird enthusiast, discovers a dodo in the woods behind her house. This doughnut-loving bird becomes her secret friend. But as word spreads, Martha faces the challenge of keeping Mr. Dodo safe from the curious town. Can she protect her rare friend, or will she have to say goodbye? Dive into a tale of friendship, secrecy, and the lengths one will go to preserve a special bond.
Stalactite & Stalagmite
Sale price
$1899
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2025

Stalactite & Stalagmite

By Drew Beckmeyer

Two cave formations witness history, growing closer over eons. What happens when they finally touch?

Caldecott Honor (2026)
40 pages· 1,178 words· Est. 10 min read-aloud
4.3 Goodreads · 1,232 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: In a cave, two rock formations, Stalactite and Stalagmite, observe the world evolve over eons. As creatures come and go, their friendship grows. But as they inch closer, what awaits when they finally meet?
If Sharks Disappeared
Sale price
$1899
Picture Book · Ages 5–8 · 2017

If Sharks Disappeared

By Lily Williams · If Animals Disappeared series

What if sharks vanished? Discover the ocean's fate.

40 pages· 411 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud
4.3 Goodreads · 1,077 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Explore a world without sharks and the chaos that ensues. As overfishing threatens their existence, the balance of ocean life hangs by a thread. What happens when these apex predators disappear? Dive into a vivid exploration of the ripple effects on marine life and beyond, revealing the crucial role sharks play in maintaining a healthy planet. This thought-provoking journey challenges us to consider the consequences of losing these vital creatures and the urgent need to protect them. Will the oceans survive without their guardians?
Animals of a Bygone Era
Sale price
$1398
Chapter Book · Ages 5–10 · 2017

Animals of a Bygone Era

By Maja Säfström

Discover the bizarre world of extinct creatures through whimsical illustrations.

112 pages
4.4 Goodreads · 475 ratings
$14.99Save 7%
Hardcover
Summary: Explore a whimsical collection of extinct creatures, from giant sea scorpions to tiny horses. Each page reveals surprising and funny facts about these fascinating animals that once roamed the earth. Dive into a world where enormous sloths and fierce 'terror birds' come to life through captivating illustrations. What other strange beings await discovery in this enchanting journey through the past?
The First
Sale price
$759
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2019

The First

By Katherine Applegate, Max Kostenko (Illustrator) · Book #2 in the Endling series

A lone creature's quest uncovers a hidden colony and ignites a rebellion against looming war.

416 pages· 69,119 words· Est. 9.5 hour read
4.4 Goodreads · 3,402 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Byx, possibly the last of her kind, embarks on a perilous journey to find a hidden dairne colony in Dreyland's icy mountains. As war threatens, she and her friends uncover a dangerous plot involving powerful species. With extinction looming, they become unexpected leaders in a rebellion that could change everything. Can Byx, the endling, become the first to lead a revolution?
If Polar Bears Disappeared
Sale price
$1899
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2018

If Polar Bears Disappeared

By Lily Williams · If Animals Disappeared series

What if polar bears vanished? Discover the global impact of their extinction.

40 pages· 739 words· Est. 6 min read-aloud
4.2 Goodreads · 464 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Explore the chilling possibility of a world without polar bears. As climate change melts their icy habitat, these majestic creatures face extinction. What ripple effects would their disappearance have on ecosystems worldwide? This captivating picture book delves into the consequences, inviting readers to imagine a future without these iconic animals. Can we prevent this looming crisis?
Music for Tigers
Sale price
$1697
Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2020

Music for Tigers

By Michelle Kadarusman

A young violinist must save the last Tasmanian tiger from extinction.

192 pages· 38,634 words· Est. 4.5 hour read
4.1 Goodreads · 647 ratings
$17.95Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Louisa, a passionate violinist, spends her summer with eccentric relatives in the Tasmanian rainforest. She uncovers a family secret: a sanctuary for the last Tasmanian tiger, threatened by mining. As she bonds with the forest and a quirky boy named Colin, Louisa discovers her music might be the key to saving the elusive creature. Can she earn the tiger's trust and protect it from disappearing forever?
If Elephants Disappeared
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2019

If Elephants Disappeared

By Lily Williams · If Animals Disappeared series

What if elephants vanished? Discover the impact on our world.

40 pages
4.1 Goodreads · 213 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: In the heart of the Congolese forest, elephants are more than just giants; they're vital to the ecosystem. As poachers threaten their existence for ivory, the balance of nature teeters on the brink. What happens to the forest—and the world—if these majestic creatures disappear? Explore the profound consequences of a world without elephants and the urgent need for conservation.
If Bees Disappeared
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 5–8 · 2021

If Bees Disappeared

By Lily Williams · If Animals Disappeared series

What if bees vanished? Discover the global impact in this thought-provoking tale.

40 pages
4.2 Goodreads · 283 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: In the lush landscapes of Kent, England, bees face a dire threat. With over 250,000 species at risk from disease and habitat loss, their disappearance could unravel ecosystems worldwide. This captivating story explores the profound consequences of a world without bees, urging us to consider the vital role these tiny creatures play in our environment. Will humanity act before it's too late?
Extinct
Sale price
$1895
Picture Book · Ages 6–9 · 2019

Extinct

By Lucas Riera

Discover extinct animals and learn how to protect future species from the same fate.

48 pages
5.0/7 Bookroo·4.2/5 Goodreads · 56 ratings
$19.95Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Explore the stories of vanished animals like the California grizzly and Persian tiger through stunning illustrations. This book empowers children with knowledge and tools to aid conservation and sustainability, inspiring them to protect our planet's future species.
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Extinction Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about extinction for preschool and elementary-age readers.

Dinosaur Time
Series
Sale price
$499

Dinosaur Time

Ages 4–8 · 1974

Discover dinosaurs and learn their names in this engaging early reader.

Me Want Pet!
Sale price
$1999

Me Want Pet!

Ages 4–8 · 2012

Cave Boy seeks the perfect pet despite family objections.

Ankylosaurus
Series
Sale price
$2865

Ankylosaurus

Ages 4–7 · 2014

Discover the secrets of the armored Ankylosaurus from the Cretaceous era.

Tyrannosaurus Rex
Series
Sale price
$3065

Tyrannosaurus Rex

Ages 4–8 · 2014

A fierce Tyrannosaurus Rex hunts through the Cretaceous forests.

Carnotaurus
Series
Sale price
$1993

Carnotaurus

Ages 5–9 · 1997

Uncover the mysteries of the fierce Carnotaurus from the Cretaceous period.

Elephants!
Series
Sale price
$1799

Elephants!

Ages 6–10 · 2021

Discover the secrets of elephants and their survival in the wild.

View all extinction picture books
Browse by age

Extinction Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about extinction for developing and independent readers.

Camp Panda
Sale price
$1799

Camp Panda

Ages 10–12 · 2018

Can humans teach pandas to survive in the wild and avert extinction?

Fossils
Series
Sale price
$695

Fossils

Ages 8–10 · 2002

Scientists study fossils to uncover evidence about Earth's ancient life, from single-celled organisms to dinosaurs and early humans.

Tyrannosaurus Rex
Series
Sale price
$2995

Tyrannosaurus Rex

Ages 8–12 · 2019

A T. rex hunts through the forest. Who will be its next prey?

Ankylosaurus
Series
Sale price
$2695

Ankylosaurus

Ages 8–12 · 2019

Discover the armored ankylosaurus, a plant-eating dinosaur with a powerful tail defense.

Save the People!
Sale price
$1699

Save the People!

Ages 10–13 · 2022

Can humanity outsmart extinction, or are we destined to become fossils too?

View all extinction chapter books
Keep exploring
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