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Kirk Johnson

Kirk R. Johnson is the Sant Director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. He received his PhD in geology and paleobotany from Yale University in 1989, and did postdoctoral research in the rainforests of northern Australia before joining the Denver Museum of Natural History in 1991, where he directed the installation of the museum's Prehistoric Journey exhibit. His research focuses on fossil plants, the environmental effects of the dinosaur-smiting asteroid, and the birth and death of biomes. Johnson lives in Washington, D. C.
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Titles by Kirk Johnson

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Titles Found: 6
Ancient Denvers
Ancient Denvers (4 Formats) ›
By Kirk Johnson, Illustrated by Jan Vriesen, Illustrated by Gary Stabb, Illustrated by Donna Braginetz
Trade Paper Price 12.95

Trade Paper, PDF, EPUB, Mobipocket

Published Dec 2005

A look at how the geology, environment, and landscape of what is now Denver has changed over the millennia.
Ancient Wyoming
Ancient Wyoming (4 Formats) ›
By Kirk Johnson, By Will Clyde
Trade Paper Price 16.99

Trade Paper, PDF, EPUB, Mobipocket

Published May 2016

Journey Through Time in Ancient Wyoming

Unearth the lost worlds of Wyoming's Bighorn Basin! Ancient Wyoming merges paleontology, geology, and artistry to reveal a dozen ancient ecosystems spanning 300 million years. Explore a time when Wyoming was a vast ocean, a lush rainforest, and a mountain prairie.

Discover the fascinating flora and fauna that once thrived in this region. Through stunning paintings and detailed explanations, visualize ancient landscapes and understand the processes that shaped them. Perfect for geology enthusiasts, students, and anyone curious about Earth's history. Learn about fossil formation, climate change, and the evolution of life in this captivating journey through time.

  • Explore ancient ecosystems through stunning illustrations
  • Understand the geological history of the Bighorn Basin
  • Learn about fossil formation and the evolution of life
Cruisin' the Fossil Freeway
Cruisin' the Fossil Freeway (3 Formats) ›
By Kirk Johnson, Illustrated by Ray Troll
Trade Paper Price 30.00

Trade Paper, PDF, EPUB

Published Jun 2024

"A paleontological odyssey that manages to be informative, witty, educational—and enormous fun." —Simon Winchester, author of The Map That Changed the World, Krakatoa, and A Crack in the Edge of the World

An epoch tale of a scientist and an artist on the ultimate 5,000-mile paleo road trip.

Cruisin' the Fossil Freeway follows the most unusual travels of a paleontologist and an artist as they drive across the American West in search of fossils. Throughout their journey, they encounter "paleonerds" like themselves, people dedicated to finding everything from suburban T. rex to killer Eocene pigs to ancient fossilized forests. This updated editions brings the text up-to-date on new discoveries, new realizations, and new places, along with new art. 

A fascinating travelogue, Cruisin' the Fossil Freeway shows us that fossils are everywhere if you learn to look for them—even at 65 miles per hour. 


 
Cruisin' the Fossil Freeway Map
Cruisin' the Fossil Freeway Map ›
By Kirk Johnson, By Ray Troll
Price 19.95

Sheet map, folded

Published Oct 2018

An illustrated companion map for Cruisin' the Fossil Freeway, which follows the zany travels of a paleontologist and an artist as they drive across the American West in search of fossils.
Prehistoric Journey
Prehistoric Journey ›
By Kirk Johnson
Price 29.95

Trade Paper

Published May 2006

This is the story of the animals and plants that populated prehistoric Earth. It follows the journey of life from single-cell organisms to direct human ancestors.
Trees Are Made Of Gas
Trees Are Made Of Gas (2 Formats) ›
By Kirk Johnson, Illustrated by Mary Ann Bonnell
Trade Paper Price 18.95

Trade Paper, EPUB

Published Sep 2021

Discover the surprising connection between trees and the air we breathe! Trees Are Made of Gas makes learning about climate change fun and accessible for young readers.

Join See-oh-too, an engaging carbon dioxide molecule, as he cycles through trees, animals, water, and the sky. This book explains the vital role of carbon dioxide in plant growth and its impact on global climate change.

  • Understand the carbon cycle and how trees are made of gas.
  • Learn about the effects of releasing too much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
  • Discover simple ways to reduce your carbon footprint and help the environment.

Perfect for ages 7-9, this book inspires young environmentalists to take action and make a difference in the fight against climate change. Kirk Johnson and Mary Ann Bonnell present complex scientific concepts in an engaging and easy-to-understand way.