Astrosaurs
Space-faring dinosaurs in a children's sci-fi series.
Astrosaurs is a series of children's science fiction novels written by Steve Cole, first released in 2005. The series follows space-going dinosaurs who left Earth before a meteor strike and now live in the Jurassic Quadrant, where herbivores and carnivores maintain an uneasy peace. The main characters include Teggs Stegosaur, Gipsy Saurine, Arx Orano, and Iggy Tooth.
- Author
- Steve Cole
- First published
- 1 February 2005
- Genre
- Children's science fiction
- Illustrator
- Woody Fox
- Publisher
- Random House
- Notable spin-off
- Astrosaurs Academy (2008–2011)
Lore & Background
The Astrosaurs series posits that dinosaurs discovered space travel during the Triassic period and left Earth before the meteor impact. They settled in the Jurassic Quadrant, divided between carnivores and herbivores, with a neutral zone between them. The main crew, employed by the Dinosaur Space Service (DSS), includes Teggs Stegosaur, Gipsy Saurine, Arx Orano, and Iggy Tooth, along with a number of Dimorphodon (the exact count is not consistently specified in the canon). In the special edition Earth Attack, General Loki the Velociraptor attempts to alter history by preventing the dinosaurs' departure.
Reader's Guide
The Astrosaurs series has been a significant hit with children, as noted by Amanda Craig in the Times, who described it as 'the kind of inspired, hysterically silly fantasy that boys adore.' The series includes over twenty books, with the first two released on 1 February 2005. Free trading cards accompanied each book, featuring characters and items from the stories, with bonus cards available from the author's website. A spin-off series, Astrosaurs Academy, focused on Teggs Stegosaur's early training and ran from 2008 to 2011. The books have been re-released with new cover artwork starting in late 2010, though books 12–15 retained the original covers. The series' legacy lies in its imaginative premise and sustained popularity among young readers.
Did You Know?
- The first two Astrosaurs books were released on 1 February 2005.
- The Teeth of the T. Rex was a special edition for World Book Day and does not include trading cards.
- Woody Fox illustrated every Astrosaurs book and also drew the trading card illustrations.
- The Astrosaurs logo was designed by Charlie Fawkes and features the word 'ASTROSAURS' with the four main characters above it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who wrote Astrosaurs and when did it first come out?
Steve Cole is the author of the Astrosaurs series, which was first published by Random House on 1 February 2005.
What is the basic premise of Astrosaurs?
The series follows a group of dinosaurs who fled Earth before a meteor impact and now inhabit the Jurassic Quadrant, where herbivore and carnivore communities coexist under a fragile peace.
Who are the main characters in Astrosaurs?
The core cast includes Teggs Stegosaur, Gipsy Saurine, Arx Orano, and Iggy Tooth, who navigate the tensions of their shared space colony.
Who provided the illustrations for the Astrosaurs books?
Woody Fox served as the illustrator for the series, bringing the space-faring dinosaur world to life visually for young readers.
Is there a spin-off to the Astrosaurs series?
Yes, Astrosaurs Academy ran as a notable spin-off from 2008 to 2011, expanding the franchise beyond the original novels.
More in Children's science fiction novels 1-24
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