When Bugs Were Big, Plants Were Strange, and Tetrapods Stalked the Earth: A Cartoon Prehistory of Life Before Dinosaurs

In this 2003 National Geographic Society one-shot, author and illustrator Hannah Bonner brings the Carboniferous and Permian periods to vivid cartoon life, showcasing the outsized insects, bizarre flora, and early tetrapods that ruled the Earth long before the dinosaurs. Bonner's warm, scientifically grounded artwork and playful narration make deep prehistory accessible and engaging for curious readers of all ages. As a standalone primer on a lesser-known era, it stands as a charming and authoritative entry point into paleontology for a general audience.