Youth Science Cafe by ASATTCI: Dinosaurs to Dragons at A Seat at the Table Books – Elk Grove, CA

?? Welcome to Elk Grove Science Café! Held around the world, Science Cafés are monthly conversations that make science accessible for all. This special edition is for all ages and geared toward younger audiences.

? This month's topic is DINOSAURS TO DRAGONS: How Animals Inspired Mythical Creatures. What if we lived in a world with fire-breathing dragons? Or enigmatic, alluring mermaids? How about rainbow-nibbling unicorns? Mythology is full of incredible monsters, beasts, and fantastical beings. Author Elizabeth Shreeve explores how fossils and mysterious animals may have shaped or even inspired the mythical creatures that arise through history and continue to delight us today. While we can never point to a definite link, the historical record reveals some wonderful possibilities!

?? From our speaker: Award-winning author Elizabeth Shreeve writes children’s books that celebrate the history and diversity of life on Earth. Elizabeth earned degrees in geology and landscape architecture at Harvard University and went on to a career in urban planning. She now writes full-time, aiming for books that bring unusual and inspiring topics to young readers. When not visiting schools or researching a new project, Elizabeth lives in northern California with her family, including Hector the PaleoDog. Her new title, Dinosaurs to Dragons: The Lore and Science of Mythical Creatures (Atheneum/Simon & Schuster, 2026) explores how fossils and unusual wildlife may have inspired fantastical beings. Upcoming books include Germ Wars: When Diseases Ruled and Science Fought Back (Zest/Lerner, Fall 2027). Visit her at https://elizabethshreeve.com/ and @ShreeveBooks.

DINOSAURS TO DRAGONS: The Lore and Science of Mythical Creatures is a new book for young readers (ages 8+) from Simon & Schuster that traces the lore and science of 10 mythical beings. The book’s browsable format blends short fictional narratives with historical lore and analytical science sections. With a rich array of photographs and original art by Violeta Encarnación, it’s a visual delight!

Junior Library Gold Star Selection for Nonfiction, grades 5-8.

Golden Poppy Book Award Finalist

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