2018 | Everything Dinosaur Blog

28 01, 2018

A Beautiful Giant Megatherium Soft Toy

By Mike|2024-05-08T20:29:32+01:00January 28th, 2018|Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Everything Dinosaur Products, Main Page, Photos of Everything Dinosaur Products, Press Releases|0 Comments

A Giant Megatherium Soft Toy is in Stock at Everything Dinosaur

Everything Dinosaur has added a beautiful, very cuddly Megatherium soft toy to its range of prehistoric animal soft toys. Megatherium, otherwise known as the giant ground sloth, was a member of the Order Xenarthra, which includes extant mammals such as armadillos, tree sloths and anteaters. These giant browsers ranged across the Americas, from Argentina in the south to as far north as the middle of the United States. Weighing as much as a White Rhinoceros and standing some four metres or more in height (when on their hind legs), these animals were most probably avoided by Stone Age hunters.

The Beautiful Megatherium Soft Toy

A Megatherium soft toy. — *A soft toy Megatherium. A giant ground sloth soft toy.*

Evolved in South America

These large mammals originally evolved in South America, but spread into North America when the American land bridge was formed. Numerous fossils have been discovered including preserved hair, fossilised footprints and fossil dung (coprolite). Fossils of giant ground sloths were studied by Charles Darwin as part of his scientific research whilst voyaging on the Beagle in the 1830s, although the first recorded study of Megatherium fossils took place much earlier (1789).

To view the new for 2018 Megatherium soft toy and Everything Dinosaur’s full range of prehistoric animal soft toys: Ice Age and Prehistoric Animal Soft Toys.

Giant Megatherium Soft Toy

Standing a fraction under thirty centimetres tall and measuring around twenty-five centimetres in length, this really is a super-sized, giant ground sloth soft toy. His fur is very soft and our Megatherium soft toy is sponge washable. He (or she), can accompany your young palaeontologist on their fossil finding adventures. To clean this soft toy giant ground sloth, simply wipe his fur with a damp cloth or sponge, using some mild soap and when it is dry, simply brush gently to restore the pile of the fur. Like the majority of the soft toys supplied by Everything Dinosaur, the Megatherium is suitable for very young children, from nought years and upwards.

The Megatherium Soft Toy has a Very Appealing Face

An Endearing Megatherium Soft Toy

It is quite an endearing looking animal. It has tiny brown ears, sticking up out of its thick, fudge coloured fur and it has a very cute face. We think that lots of young prehistoric animal fans are going to adore this latest edition to our product range. The word “Megatherium” means “great beast”, so we think that many children are going to have a great time with this particular prehistoric animal soft toy. Even the claws are beautifully created, they are white felt and check out this soft toy’s beautifully soft foot pads.

Sales of this item help to support the Natural History Museum in London. Megatherium might be extinct, but this prehistoric animal will find a whole new generation of admirers thanks to this new plush.

Visit the award-winning, user-friendly Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

27 01, 2018

JurassicCollectables Reviews the New CollectA Deluxe Styracosaurus

By Mike|2024-05-08T20:29:59+01:00January 27th, 2018|Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur videos, Main Page, Photos of Everything Dinosaur Products|0 Comments

CollectA Deluxe Styracosaurus Reviewed by JurassicCollectables

The very talented people at JurassicCollectables have produced a video review of the CollectA Deluxe Styracosaurus figure. Over the last few weeks, our team members have been working on a variety of projects, so we are only just getting up to speed with the latest video reviews from this website that now boasts over 61,000 subscribers. It is great to see a video of this model, one of the most spectacular recent additions to the CollectA Deluxe range.

The JurassicCollectables Deluxe Styracosaurus Model Review

Video credit: JurassicCollectables

“Spike Lizard” – Reviewed

In this video, which lasts a little over eight and half minutes, the narrator takes the viewer on a tour of the features of this substantial model. The CollectA data card that accompanies the figure is also discussed, it is true that this iconic dinosaur was named in 1913. Styracosaurus (S. albertensis) was named and described by the famous Canadian palaeontologist and geologist Lawrence Lambe, it is one of a number of prehistoric animals described by Lambe from fossils found in the Canadian Province of Alberta.

The video focuses on the incredibly detailed skull and stunning array of spikes. The photography is supported by clear oratory, as the speaker comments on the various features that this model possesses. Just like the figure itself, there is plenty of detail, note is made of the high gloss effect on the orbit, giving the eye a realistic wet look.

To view the CollectA Deluxe Styracosaurus model and the rest of the CollectA Deluxe range available from Everything Dinosaur: CollectA Deluxe Prehistoric Life.

A Glorious Head Sculpt

Given the fact that this Late Cretaceous ornithischian had one of the most elaborate frills of any horned dinosaur, it is only natural that the video review should dwell on the skull and jaws. This figure is described as having a “glorious head sculpt” and in the video, the viewer is given the opportunity to view this beautifully painted head from a variety of angles. The edentulous (toothless) beak is discussed and comments are made as to the finish on the spectacular horn and spikes.

JurassicCollectables have produced several CollectA model reviews, these have all been posted up onto their popular YouTube channel. This channel is well-worth checking out and Everything Dinosaur recommends that model fans subscribe.

To visit the YouTube channel of JurassicCollectables: Visit the YouTube Channel of JurassicCollectables.

Subtle Variation in the Skin Colouration on the CollectA Deluxe Styracosaurus

The video is well-lit enabling the viewer to get close views of the clever subtleties in skin tone and colour variations on the model. The range of different sized scales on the figure are demonstrated and the commentator reports that this is a very realistic looking dinosaur.

The CollectA Deluxe Styracosaurus Dinosaur

The CollectA 1:40 scale Deluxe Styracosaurus dinosaur model. — *CollectA Deluxe Styracosaurus dinosaur model.*

This figure has proved to be very popular amongst collectors and Styracosaurus itself remains one of the most instantly recognisable of all the dinosaurs. Our thanks to JurassicCollectables and “off-colour Alan” for showcasing this figure, even if poor Alan was a little unsteady on his feet! Great to see the classic, green standing Tyrannosaurus rex model used as a comparison, these two figures work really well together.

Not sure how successful the Styracosaurus replica would be as a book end, as suggested by the narrator in one part of this highly entertaining and informative video.

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

26 01, 2018

Special Dinosaur Workshops at Green End Primary

By Mike|2024-05-08T20:28:35+01:00January 26th, 2018|Educational Activities, Main Page, Teaching|0 Comments

1B and 1EN Classes at Green End Primary Study Dinosaurs

It was an exciting end to the week for the children in Year 1 at Green End Primary (M19, Manchester), as the school was visited by a team member from Everything Dinosaur. The children in 1B and 1EN have started to learn all about dinosaurs, fossils and life in the past and Everything Dinosaur was invited in to help launch this challenging term topic.

Fossils and Life in the Past

Two workshops were conducted with the enthusiastic, young dinosaur fans over the course of a morning, one for each of the classes. During a short briefing with the teachers, our proposed lesson plan was reviewed and steps were taken to ensure that our dinosaur expert covered key points that the teaching team wanted to emphasise. As well as acting as a provocation for the topic, the teachers were keen to reinforce learning about food chains and as Mary Anning was going to be studied in class, our dinosaur expert was able to adjust his lesson plan to accommodate this learning need.

A Beautiful Dinosaur Display in One of the Year 1 Classrooms

Year 1 dinosaur display. — *Year 1 children at Green End Primary have created a wonderful dinosaur display.* *Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.*

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur/Green End Primary

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

Making Salt Dough Fossils

As part of a wide range of challenging activities, the children had been making their own salt dough fossils. These fossils were on display in the sand tray. Our dinosaur expert was invited to examine the children’s work. The children enjoyed making the fossils and learning about life in the past.

Children in Year 1 Make Salt Dough Fossils

Key Stage 1 children make salt dough fossils. — *Salt dough fossils created by Year 1 children (class 1EN and 1B).* *Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.*

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur/Green End Primary

Ammonites

During the workshop, the Year 1 children were given the chance to handle some real fossils and to learn how fossils form. The ammonite fossils proved to be very popular, especially the very large ones. These fossils are typical of the “sea shells on the sea shore”, that Mary Anning collected. We included a tongue twister all about Mary Anning with the additional teaching resources that our dinosaur expert provided.

As part of our work in schools, we encourage the teaching team to take lots of photographs of the children during the workshops. These photographs are very helpful when it comes to recall and recounting activities after the workshop has been concluded. Can the children, simply by looking at a photograph, recall key points from that part of the lesson? We recommend the children are asked without prompting initially, teachers are often surprised by the amount of information that the children have retained.

A Dinosaur Themed Display in One of the Year 1 Classrooms

A Year 1 dinosaur display. — *A horned dinosaur is at the centre of this Year 1 dinosaur display.* *Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.*

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur/Green End Primary

One of the teachers promised to send in a picture of some of the children’s work, we look forward to seeing the results of the research conducted by the Year 1 classes.

Contact Everything Dinosaur team members: Email Everything Dinosaur.

26 01, 2018

Year 1 at Green End Primary School (Dinosaurs)

By Mike|2023-08-30T15:50:14+01:00January 26th, 2018|Key Stage 1/2|Comments Off on Year 1 at Green End Primary School (Dinosaurs)

Classes 1EN and 1B Learn About Dinosaurs

Children in Year 1 at Green End Primary (Manchester), have embarked on a new topic for the rest of the Spring Term. They are learning all about dinosaurs and fossils. The eager young palaeontologists have already conducted some dinosaur themed research, learning about herbivores such as Brontosaurus, Diplodocus and Stegosaurus. The children in classes 1EN and 1B have produced fact sheets all about the dinosaurs they have been studying.

Year 1 Children Write Fact Sheets About Plant-eating Dinosaurs

Picture credit: Green End Primary/Everything Dinosaur

Dinosaurs and Fossils

Some carnivorous dinosaurs have been studied too. The teaching team are using different types of dinosaur to help support the children’s learning when it comes to considering simple food chains.

As part of a provocation to help enthuse the two classes, Everything Dinosaur was invited into the school to lead two dinosaur and fossil themed workshops, one for each of the classes. These workshops were held in the superbly appointed communications room. The children are really lucky to have such a well-resourced school.

The Communications Room Became a “Dino Den” for the Morning

Picture credit: Green End Primary/Everything Dinosaur

Dinosaur Displays

The spacious classrooms already contained some wonderful dinosaur themed displays and plenty of evidence of the creative approach of the teaching team to this particular scheme of work. It seems that the teachers, ably supported by the teaching assistants and learning support have designed a challenging scheme of work that appeals to a wide variety of learning styles.

A Dinosaur Display in a Year 1 Classroom at Green End Primary

Picture credit: Green End Primary/Everything Dinosaur

For dinosaur themed toys and games: Dinosaur Themed Toys and Gifts.

The children will be learning all about the famous, British fossil hunter Mary Anning, our dinosaur expert ensured that Mary Anning was introduced during the dinosaur and fossil workshops. In addition, we set the classes a number of challenges in the form of extension activities. One of the teachers promised to send into our offices a picture of some of the children’s work to demonstrate how enthusiastically the children had responded to the morning of dinosaur themed workshops that we had conducted.

We are looking forward to seeing the children’s work.

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

25 01, 2018

The New 2018 Schleich Collectors Booklet in Stock

By Mike|2024-05-10T07:33:28+01:00January 25th, 2018|Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Everything Dinosaur Products, Magazine Reviews, Main Page, Photos of Everything Dinosaur Products|0 Comments

The New for 2018 Schleich Collectors Booklet

The new for 2018 (January to June) Schleich collectors booklet is now in stock at Everything Dinosaur. Fans of the extensive Schleich model range can see the entire Schleich portfolio and peruse the booklet at their leisure. Simply request Everything Dinosaur to include a booklet with your next order, or simply add it to your order when next purchasing from Everything Dinosaur. The UK-based specialist supplier of prehistoric animal models is happy to send out collectors booklets, it’s all about keeping collectors up to date with how the Schleich range is evolving.

The Schleich Collectors Booklet

The New for 2018 January to June Schleich Collectors Booklet is Available from Everything Dinosaur

Schleich collectors booklet 2018. — *The Schleich collectors booklet (Jan to June) 2018.* *Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.*

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Schleich Dinosaurs

As well as covering the German company’s range of wildlife, fantasy and farm animals, the catalogue showcases the growing range of prehistoric animal models that Schleich is now producing. The number of dinosaur models had been reduced but slowly and steadily Schleich has been building up its prehistoric animal portfolio. So far, 2018 has seen a total of five new Schleich prehistoric animal models, including a very colourful Triceratops and a Psittacosaurus that has won plenty of praise from fossil hunters as well as dinosaur fans.

The Schleich Collectors Booklet Features the New Triceratops Figure

Schleich Triceratops dinosaur model (2018). — *The new for 2018 Schleich Triceratops dinosaur model.*

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The New for 2018 Schleich Psittacosaurus Figure Has Been Praised

Schleich Psittacosaurus (2018). — *New for 2018, the Schleich Psittacosaurus dinosaur model.*

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Schleich and Everything Dinosaur

Everything Dinosaur is happy to send out the Schleich collectors booklet, we don’t charge for this catalogue, just postage to pay if it is ordered on its own, but if it is requested within an order, then it is just sent out with the other items, no specific postage fee is charged.

To view the range of Schleich dinosaurs and other prehistoric animal items available from Everything Dinosaur: Schleich Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Figures.

Hand-Painted Schleich Prehistoric Animal Models

Every single figure made by Schleich is lovingly painted by hand. The artists take great care and they ensure that each and every replica is produced to the very highest standards. From the initial “story boarding” for a new model and the preliminary sketches, through to adding the final, finishing touches, the artists and designers at Schleich try their very best to get the prehistoric animal models as accurate as they can whilst still ensuring that the replica is fit for robust, creative play.

Collectors and dinosaur model fans can now pick up the new for 2018 Schleich booklet (January to June) from Everything Dinosaur.

Visit the award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

24 01, 2018

Prehistoric Times Magazine New Issue 124 Reviewed

By Mike|2024-05-10T07:32:29+01:00January 24th, 2018|Dinosaur Fans, Magazine Reviews, Main Page|2 Comments

A Review of Prehistoric Times Magazine (Winter 2018)

It might be cold (and dark) outside but no excuse is necessary when it comes to getting stuck into the latest edition of “Prehistoric Times”, that arrived at our offices a few days ago. This is the first edition of 2018 and once again, this highly informative publication is jam-packed with news about dinosaur discoveries as well as updates on prehistoric animal models and all the views, interviews and features dinosaur fans have come to expect from this quarterly magazine.

“Prehistoric Times” Magazine

The front cover artwork (provided by the amazingly talented Sergey Krasovskiy), depicts a scene from Hateg Island, a Hispaniola-sized landmass that, along with a few other scattered islands represented the only terrestrial environments in Europe during the Late Cretaceous. The enormous azhdarchid pterosaur Hatzegopteryx looms over the partially eaten corpse of an armoured dinosaur (the Nodosaur Struthiosaurus transylvanicus).

The Front Cover of Prehistoric Times (Issue 124)

Picture credit: Prehistoric Times/Sergey Krasovskiy

The Palaeofauna of Hateg Island

Phil Hore does a fantastic job providing a write up on the bizarre and unique palaeofauna of Hateg Island. His article also profiles the influential Franz Nopsca, a polymath who did so much to place Romania on the geological map and to document the prehistoric animals of the region.

Everything Dinosaur team members note with interest Phil Hore’s comments about Balaur bondoc. Once thought to be a theropod, recent research suggests that the “stocky dragon” could be a flightless bird. The absence of skull material limits what can be concluded about this enigmatic animal. With team members preparing a fact sheet on B. bondoc for our launch of the “Beasts of the Mesozoic” model range, we are all too aware of the current identity crisis concerning this unusual biped, Phil Hore summarises the present situation very nicely.

The Beasts of the Mesozoic Balaur bondoc Articulated Figure

The picture (above) shows the Beasts of the Mesozoic Balaur bondoc figure.

To view this range: Beasts of the Mesozoic Figures.

“Insular Dwarfism”

Nopsca may have posited the idea of “insular dwarfism”, but there is nothing small about the amazing dinosaur model collection of William Heinrich. The winter edition of “Prehistoric Times” features an interview with this passionate collector and it is illustrated with a number of photographs that show the size and scale of the result of a life-time of collecting. New Zealander, John Lavas provides another article on the astonishing artwork of Zdeněk Burian, this time the focus is on the Therapsida.

Look out for a super article from Tracy Lee Ford that “broadly” outlines the hip structures of a variety of different examples of the Dinosauria and this issue (number 124), includes three tales penned from the imaginations of “Prehistoric Times” readers.

For further information about this magazine and to subscribe: Prehistoric Times Magazine.

The Year in Review (2017)

The American palaeontologist Steve Brusatte, currently based at the University of Edinburgh, provides a comprehensive overview of dinosaur and fossil news from 2017. Everything Dinosaur team members are reading Steve’s new book, all about the rise and fall of the Dinosauria, this book is due to be published in the late spring. We don’t know how Steve manages to keep up with all his commitments, but we are very glad he did take time out to write this most informative and helpful article.

Sea scorpions, new model news, Mesozoic media, this issue is crammed full of fascinating features, articles and lots and lots of readers’ artwork. We even spotted an illustration that seems to have been influenced by the Hatzegopteryx drawing the editor, Mike Fredericks, provided for our fact sheet on this Late Cretaceous pterosaur.

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

23 01, 2018

Moroccan Authorities Investigate Unusual Mexican Dinosaur Auction

By Mike|2024-02-25T08:00:43+00:00January 23rd, 2018|Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page|0 Comments

Culture Ministry Investigates Sale of Atlasaurus Caudal Vertebrae

Moroccan authorities are investigating the sale of a dinosaur’s tail that was sold by the Mexican auction house Morton, to an anonymous buyer for around $97,000 USD ($1.8 million Mexican pesos). The auction, which took place last Tuesday, was held in Mexico City. It helped to raise funds for the reconstruction of schools damaged by earthquakes that occurred in Mexico during the autumn. Any sum over the reserve price was to be donated to the earthquake relief fund.

The Dinosaur Tail (Atlasaurus imelakei) on Display Prior to the Auction

Atlasaurus Caudal Vertebrae (auction exhibit). — *The Atlasaurus tail on display in the foyer of the BBVA Bancomer Tower (Mexico City).*

Picture credit: Reuters/Daniel Becerril

Atlasaurus imelakei

The four-metre long specimen, weighs around 180 kilograms and represents a partial tail of a sauropod dinosaur from Morocco called Atlasaurus (A. imelakei). Regarded as a member of the macronarian group of sauropods, Atlasaurus was distantly related to Brachiosaurus and Giraffatitan. It lived in North Africa during the Middle Jurassic (Bathonian faunal stage) and it is known from numerous isolated bones and articulated specimens. Atlasaurus had very long limbs, proportionately longer than most other members of the Sauropoda. Its neck was relatively short compared to later macronarians.

Palaeontologists have speculated that the proportionately longer legs evolved to help this herbivorous dinosaur reach food, that other plant-eating dinosaurs could not obtain. The long legs of Atlasaurus are regarded as an example of an evolutionary adaptation to achieve niche partitioning within North African dinosaurs.

Culture Ministry Becomes Involved in the Mexican Dinosaur Auction

The auction of the fossilised tail bones has come to the attention of the Moroccan Ministry of Culture, which has launched an investigation to find out the origin and provenance of the fossil material. The fossil was sold as part of a specialist auction, managed by the Morton Auction House. A percentage of the sale proceeds being reportedly donated to the Bancomer Foundation to help support reconstruction efforts in those parts of Mexico affected by the recent earthquakes. Media reports suggest that around $21,500 USD ($400,000 Mexican pesos), was to be donated from the sale of the fossil.

The fossil very likely originated from the Azilal region of Morocco. The specimen has been restored, around 70% of the material is actual fossil bone. Steps are being taken to determine how the specimen ended up in the auction. This is not the first time Moroccan authorities have intervened in a case like this. In April 2017, a Late Cretaceous plesiosaur fossil exhibit was removed from a Paris auction after an agreement was reached with the Binoche and Giquello auction company.

Tracing the Tale of a Tail

Several sources have stated that the Atlasaurus tail bones were acquired by the Morton Auction House from the Petra Gallery, which specialises in the sale of fossils and minerals. The acquisition by the Morton Auction House from the Petra Gallery has been confirmed by Morton’s Press and Public Relations representative Kristina Velfu.

Ernesto Durán, the director of the Petra Gallery has stated that the fossil was bought legally in the United States and both a receipt and legal import document are available to prove the purchase as legitimate.

In Mexico, the selling of fossils found within the country is illegal, as they are considered part of the country’s heritage. However, the law in Mexico does not prohibit the sale of fossils found outside its borders. The Atlasaurus specimen very probably originated in Morocco, the authorities are interesting in tracing how the fossil came to be in the United States, where it was excavated from and what documentation (if any), exists with regards to its movement out of the country.

We at Everything Dinosaur, will watch how this story unfolds.

22 01, 2018

Reception at Egerton Primary Discover Dinosaurs during an Exclusive Workshop

By Mike|2024-05-10T18:15:35+01:00January 22nd, 2018|Educational Activities, Main Page, Teaching|0 Comments

Dinosaurs and Fossils at Egerton Primary School

The children in the Reception class at Egerton Primary School, (Knutsford, Cheshire) were visited by Everything Dinosaur, with “Dinosaur Mike” delivering a dinosaur and fossil workshop to help enthuse the Foundation Stage 2 children as they learn about fossils and life in the past. The spacious and well-appointed school hall reverberated with the sound of stomping armoured dinosaurs and ammonites catching fish. During the workshop, our dinosaur expert set the children a special challenge. Could they design their very own dinosaur and label parts of the body?

A Dinosaur and Fossil Workshop

The Reception Class at Egerton Primary School Sent Dinosaur Letters and Drawings

'Reception class letters and dinosaur drawings. — *Dinosaur letters and drawings from the Reception class at Egerton Primary School. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.*

Picture credit: Egerton Primary School/Everything Dinosaur

Taking Up a Dinosaur Drawing Challenge

With the help and support of the enthusiastic teaching team, the children were keen to take up Everything Dinosaur’s challenge. Sure enough, we received at our offices, a set of super prehistoric animal drawings and dinosaur themed letters from the children.

Long-necked Dinosaur Drawings from Foundation Stage 2

Long-necked dinosaur drawings from a Reception class. — *Super sauropod drawings from Egerton Primary School (Reception class).* *Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.*

Picture credit: Egerton Primary School/Everything Dinosaur

Naming Dinosaurs

As part of our proposed extension activity, we challenged the Reception class to think up suitable names for their very own dinosaur designs. During the morning visit, our dinosaur expert met a budding, young scientist called Maya. He explained to her and her classmates that there already was a dinosaur called Maiasaura (May-ah-sore-ah). Maya had a name very similar to a Cretaceous, plant-eating dinosaur. When back in the office, “Dinosaur Mike” emailed over a Maiasaura fact sheet and scale drawing of Maiasaura to help inspire the children with their own dinosaur designs.

We received some beautiful drawings and some lovely labelled dinosaurs. Several children wrote a short thank you note to our dinosaur expert. Wonderful evidence of gaining confidence with writing along with finger spacing of words being demonstrated and some basic grammar shown too!

A Dinosaur Themed Letter Writing Exercise (Egerton Primary School – Reception Class)

Dinosaur themed letter (FS2). — *A letter to “Dinosaur Mike” from Reception class children at Egerton Primary School. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.*

Picture credit: Egerton Primary School/Everything Dinosaur

A Letter Writing Exercise After the Dinosaur and Fossil Workshop

A simple letter writing exercise such as the dinosaur thank you notes, can help children gain confidence and assists in the development of hand-eye co-ordination and fine motor skills. Our thanks to all the children and the teachers in the Reception class at Egerton Primary, we have posted some of the children’s letters and drawings onto our warehouse wall.

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

21 01, 2018

Everything Dinosaur and an Exclusive January Newsletter

By Mike|2024-05-10T18:16:19+01:00January 21st, 2018|Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Everything Dinosaur Newsletters, Main Page, Photos of Everything Dinosaur Products|0 Comments

New Models and the Return of PNSO Figures

Everything Dinosaur’s latest newsletter features a variety of new prehistoric animal additions to the UK-based company’s product portfolio, plus the return of some old and exceedingly difficult to obtain favourites. A shipment of PNSO figures has recently arrived and these take pride of place at the top of the January newsletter with the Chinese stegosaurid Chungkingosaurus taking centre stage.

The Everything Dinosaur Newsletter Features the PNSO Age of Dinosaurs Chungkingosaurus Figure

PNSO Chungkingosaurus features in Everything Dinosaur mailshot. — *PNSO Age of Dinosaur figures feature in the latest Everything Dinosaur mailshot. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.*

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

PNSO Models and Figures in Stock at Everything Dinosaur

This beautifully crafted dinosaur model measures a whopping fifty-two centimetres long and the magnificent head is nearly twenty centimetres off the ground. This is not the biggest model in the range, the sauropod replica (Huanghetitan), stands thirty-nine centimetres high and is nearly seventy centimetres long. The future of the PNSO product line remains in serious doubt and a number of figures have already gone out of production. Fortunately, Everything Dinosaur has been able to secure some stocks.

To view the PNSO Age of Dinosaurs range available from Everything Dinosaur: PNSO Age of Dinosaurs.

Schleich and Safari Ltd Figures

A cornucopia of prehistoric animal figures is featured in the middle section of the Everything Dinosaur January Newsletter. Safari Ltd have introduced thirteen new models into the Wild Safari Prehistoric World range for 2018, but just for good measure, Everything Dinosaur has added the Przewalski’s horse replica as well. After all, models of this relic from the last Ice Age are few and far between and the Safari Ltd “Winner’s Circle” figure is a particularly good example.

To view the range of Wild Safari Prehistoric World models available from Everything Dinosaur: Safari Ltd, Wild Safari Prehistoric World.

New for 2018 Prehistoric Animal Figures (Schleich and Safari Ltd)

Prehistoric animal models (new for 2018). — *New Wild Safari Prehistoric World and Schleich figures (2018).* *Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.*

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The first of the Schleich 2018 prehistoric animal figures are also featured in this section of our newsletter. Just like the models opposite them, they have all been beautifully painted and prices at Everything Dinosaur start at just £5.99 plus P&P. The Schleich Psittacosaurus, Dinogorgon and the lithe Tawa are already proving to be very popular with dinosaur fans and model collectors.

To view the new for 2018 Schleich figures including the very latest models: Schleich Prehistoric Animal Models.

Elephants, Tullimontrum and Prehistoric Animal Additions

Animals with a proboscis are also featured in our latest newsletter. One of these is familiar, the other, is one of the most bizarre animals known to science. As well as bringing in the PNSO Age of Dinosaurs range, Everything Dinosaur has also been able to stock a small number of the PNSO Family Zoo figures, including the White Rhinoceros, Hippopotamus and the amazing African Elephant figure (illustrated below). PNSO stands for the Peking Natural Sciences Organisation and their brief is not limited to extinct creatures, they have produced some wonderful models of animals living today. However, just like the figures themselves, the animals the models represent are also rare.

The PNSO Family Zoo African Elephant Figure and the Paleo-Creatures Tullimonstrum

Featured replicas in the January 2018 mailshot. — *Paleo-creatures Tullimonstrum and the PNSO Family Zoo African Elephant model.* *Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.*

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

To view the huge range of models and figures available from Everything Dinosaur: Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Models.

The Paleo-Creatures Tully Monster (Tullimonstrum)

January’s newsletter also featured an update on the Paleo-Creatures Tully Monster figure. Some more of these hand-crafted replicas have arrived back in stock, replicas of one of the most unusual animals to have ever existed on planet Earth. Known from one location, the Mazon Creek fossil beds of Illinois, this marine creature looks like an alien with its long proboscis ending in a mouth and eyes on horizontally positioned stalks, even the taphonomy of this Lagerstätte is poorly understood. Scientists debate whether T. gregarium was a vertebrate or an invertebrate, the taxonomic classification of this little creature that lived in around 300 million years ago, remains controversial.

To request a subscription to Everything Dinosaur’s regular newsletter, simply drop us an email: Email Everything Dinosaur.

20 01, 2018

School Prepares for Special Dinosaur Workshops

By Mike|2024-05-10T18:16:54+01:00January 20th, 2018|Educational Activities, Main Page, Teaching|0 Comments

Hanging Heaton Primary Prepares for Dinosaur Term Topic

Pupils and staff at Hanging Heaton CE (VC) Junior and Infant School (near Dewsbury, West Yorkshire), have been busy preparing their classrooms for the start of the special Spring Term topic – dinosaurs. Children in class 1 and class 2, comprising the Reception and Key Stage 1 cohorts at the school, will be learning all about dinosaurs, fossils and prehistoric animals for the rest of this term. To help kick-start the topic, Everything Dinosaur was invited into the school to provide a provocation in the form of a dinosaur workshop to help enthuse the children.

Class 1 (Reception and Year 1) Have Prepared a Palaeontology Lab Display

The FS2/Year 1 class have a palaeontology lab. — *The FS2/Year 1 class have a palaeontology laboratory.*

Picture credit: Hanging Heaton CE (VC) Junior and Infant School/Everything Dinosaur

Tidy and Spacious Classrooms Ready for Dinosaurs

Our dinosaur expert had the opportunity to see the classrooms prior to starting the morning of dinosaur and fossil themed workshops. The classrooms were tidy and spacious and the dedicated teachers, with the support of the learning support assistants had prepared a number of display boards to showcase the children’s work as they study dinosaurs. The children in the mixed class of Reception and Year 1 are going to have a palaeontology laboratory in the corner of their classroom. Perhaps, some of the extension activities we proposed, such as creating a prehistoric animal might end up being put up on the display board.

Class 2 (A Mixed Year 1 and Year 2 Class) Ready for the Dinosaurs Term Topic

A Key Stage 1 term topic display board - Dinosaurs! — *Year 1/2 classroom ready for the dinosaurs term topic.*

Picture Credit: Hanging Heaton CE (VC) Junior and Infant School/Everything Dinosaur

For further information about Everything Dinosaur’s work: Contact Everything Dinosaur.

Questions About Dinosaurs

The children demonstrated some amazing pre-knowledge, confidently talking about the largest dinosaurs and explaining the differences between meat-eaters and plant-eaters. They also asked lots of questions about different types of prehistoric animals. One little boy (George), wanted to know what sort of dinosaurs hunted Styracosaurus. Our dinosaur expert was able to explain that when Styracosaurus (a horned dinosaur), roamed North America in the Late Cretaceous, there were several types of tyrannosaur and other predators that might have considered this very spiky reptile as dinner.

A Drawing of the Horned Dinosaur Styracosaurus (S.albertensis)

Styracosaurus illustrated. — *A drawing of the horned dinosaur Styracosaurus.* *Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.*

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The picture (above) shows a Styracosaurus illustration. This drawing is based on the CollectA Deluxe Styracosaurus figure.

To view this model range: CollectA Deluxe Prehistoric Life Models.

Additional Resources and Activities

Prior to the two workshops, our dinosaur expert had a short meeting with the teaching lead for the term topic to ensure that learning objectives would be incorporated into the sessions. In addition, the Everything Dinosaur team member was able to provide a number of additional teaching resources to support the school’s scheme of work, including a dinosaur footprint measuring exercise, a motor skills test linked to writing for the Reception children and a dinosaur themed geography exercise to help the Key Stage 1 children learn about the continents.

We look forward to seeing pictures of the classroom display boards filled up with examples of the children’s dinosaur and fossil themed learning.

Visit Everything Dinosaur: Everything Dinosaur.