Dinosaurs Before Dark (Graphic Novel) – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Dinosaurs Before Dark (Graphic Novel)

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2024

94%

WISE Score

4.8

Amazon

Jack and Annie’s classic dino-adventure gets a visual glow-up that’ll actually keep a 1st grader’s attention longer than a YouTube Short.

Dinosaurs Before Dark (Graphic Novel)

book

2024

94%

WISE Score

4.8

Amazon

Jack and Annie’s classic dino-adventure gets a visual glow-up that’ll actually keep a 1st grader’s attention longer than a YouTube Short.

4.8

Jump to

Also rated on

4.8

View →

Where to Read

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Libby

Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased, but as an Amazon Associate, Screenwise earns an affiliate fee if you buy a book or game by clicking one of our links. We don't get any credit if you just Google it instead :)

Screenwise Verdict

This is a no-brainer. It takes the dependable, wholesome bones of the original 1992 series and wraps them in a format that modern kids actually want to touch.

It’s not 'brain rot' and it’s not 'homework'—it’s just a solid, fun adventure that might actually get your kid to put down the iPad for twenty minutes. The graphic novel adaptation specifically solves the 'boring' factor that some modern kids find in the original chapter books.

Age Fit

Best for the 5-to-9-year-old crowd. It’s the sweet spot for kids who are too old for simple picture books but find 100-page chapter books a bit daunting.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Jack and Annie model a functional, supportive sibling relationship. They look out for each other, handle fear with bravery, and the tone is consistently adventurous without being cynical or mean-spirited.

Imaginative

The core concept—a magic treehouse that travels through time based on book illustrations—is a direct invitation to imaginative play. The graphic novel format enhances this with vibrant, expressive art that brings the prehistoric world to life.

Safe

It is exceptionally safe. There is no profanity, no sexual content, and no gore. The 'peril' involving a T-Rex is handled in a way that provides excitement for a 6-year-old without causing nightmares.

Enriching

It acts as a fantastic bridge to literacy for reluctant readers. It introduces basic paleontological facts and encourages a mindset of observation and note-taking through Jack's character.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

The animated art style makes it feel like a cartoon on paper, which is a massive win for kids used to high-stimulation screens.
It’s a perfect 'gateway drug' to longer books for kids who get intimidated by walls of text.
Jack’s constant note-taking models curiosity and research in a way that feels like part of the adventure, not a school assignment.
The pacing is snappy—the story moves fast enough to keep 'boredom' at bay while still delivering a coherent plot.

⚠

What to Watch For

The T-Rex has teeth and looks like a predator. It’s not 'Jurassic Park' level, but the very sensitive might need a lap to sit on during those pages.
The 'wandering off into the woods alone' trope is what starts the story—standard 'don't do this in real life' rules apply.

Conversation Starters

"If we found a magic treehouse in our backyard, where is the first place we’re going?"
"Why do you think Jack is so obsessed with his notebook while Annie just wants to pet the dinosaurs?"
"Which dinosaur in the book would be the worst one to have as a roommate?"
"If you could bring one thing back from the past like Jack and Annie, what would it be?"

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic