iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

DinoToons @dinotoons.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

Pride Month is over, but DinoToons stays LGBTQ friendly year ‘round! Even when a book isn't centered on an LGBTQ theme, that doesn't mean we hide character identities. Everyday moments of support and kindness make our characters well-rounded! #LGBTQBooks #KidLit #BookSky #NonbinaryPride

Excerpt from "Under the Whether," a book about setting boundaries.
"Maybe try Echo? She's super tough. And pretty smart too, when it comes to this stuff," Says Sam Saltasaurus. Echo is having a headbutting competition with Zackie Zuniceratops in the background!

"Echo uses they!" Porter reminds Sam. "That's still kinda new, so I'll remind you when I can!"

Sam answers, "Oh right, thank you!"

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DinoToons @dinotoons.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

Happy #DinoToonsTuesday! Today we’re doing a character spotlight for Iago Ichthyovenator! As only meat-eater currently living in Herbivore Hills, it can be a little awkward for Iago to socialize - even though he just eats fish! #LGBTQBooks #KidLit #BookSky

Ollie with a big ice block on his stomach, a frozen Ichthyovenator inside. Ollie is tossing his arms in the air declaring, "A MERMAID!"

Page snip from "Sam is Super... Duper Picky"! Iago is suggesting food to Sam and says, "I'm a Piscivore, I eat fish... Sushi and Sashimi are my two best. But since you prefer plants, Perhaps isntead, Roasted seaweed would leave you impressed!"

Cute Pride Silhouette of Iago with the six-striped rainbow flag colors!

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DinoToons @dinotoons.bsky.social · 04/07/2025

Be kind to your sound-sensitive friends this July 4th! Growing up, I never really understood why I felt so anxious around this holiday - it took me getting a bit older to realize I was extra sensitive to certain sounds, like fireworks! #LGBTQBooks #KidLit #BookSky #Neurodiversity #AutisticVoices

As fireworks boom in the night sky, Porter says, "Fireworks are just the worst. They're loud and scary. No redeeming qualities." Other dinos, like Ned Nequenosaurus, Sam Saltasaurus, Ollie Olorotitan and Petra Pachycephalosaurus, are sat around watching the show happily.

Echo is sat next to Porter, both of them sitting in cute loafs with their legs underneath them. "I just don't get it," Porter concludes.

"Porter, I have a gift for you," Echo says as they slide a gift box over.

In the last panel, the box is open and Porter has new pink earmuffs on. Smiling, Porter says to Echo, "Fireworks are... they're ok."

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DinoToons @dinotoons.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

Oops, July already, huh! Here's the final part of Eyelashes<3 As a reminder, you can read all currently available comics at the main DinoToons website! dinotoons.net/comics

"Happy Girl's Night!" Trixie says, scooting Petra a gift as Sam Saltasaurus looks over her shoulder.
"Another present? You two spoil me...," Petra gushes.
Looking into the box, she sees two black lines. "Ooh! Um.... are they caterpillars?" she mumbles.
Sam says, "Trixie made them, and I was the tester!"
"They're false eyelashes, dear!" says Trixie Tuojiangosaurus. "I know you've been a bit insecure since you chose your new name... I thought they might help!"

Trying on the false eyelashes, a very happy Petra straightens up. "Oh wow... my eyes feel so... fluttery... I love them...!" She's so happy to have such supportive friends.

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DinoToons @dinotoons.bsky.social · 29/06/2025

Eyelashes Part 9! There's a lot of sides to social transition. One that Petra's struggling with is having neighbors adapt to her change of name and pronouns. After all, Piper, who's been out for many years, doesn't have any trouble being addressed correctly. #lgbt #trans #comics #kidlit

"Thanks sir! Come again!" says Zackie Zuniceratops as Piper Plateosaurus buys a basket of veggies.
"Thanks! See ya." Piper replies with a wave.
"Okay Petra, ready to...." As they turn to leave, Piper sees that Petra Pachycephalosaurus looks a little down. "Oh, is something wrong?"
"oh, no, it's just...," Petra mumbles.
She continues, "Dinos never call you 'she,' but they still call me 'he' a lot. Am I doing something wrong...? I'm even wearing this cute hat to help..."
"it takes time," Piper says as he sets an arm on Petra's back. "Just keep correcting dinos who say 'he.' They'll adjust.
"i'll try...," Petra says.
"And I'm here if anyone gives you trouble," Piper adds, happy to support a trans dino who's so early in her transition.

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DinoToons @dinotoons.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

Did you know? Porter sometimes looks like a kid next to Sam and Ollie - but he’s totally normal size for a Protoceratops! Triceratops - which evolved millions of years later - was wayyy bigger! #DinoBooks #ChildrensBooks #BookSky

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DinoToons @dinotoons.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

Happy #DinoToonsTuesday! Today's a post all about Sam Saltasaurus! Sam is the first DinoToons character who was ever designed. She’s a Saltasaurus - known for their osteoderms - bony plates that make their skin tough! She’s kind, but a bit stubborn too. #LGBTQBooks #KidLit #BookSky

It's Sam, but she's making a splash...! By cannonballing into the ocean, sending Porter Protoceratops and Ollie Olorotitan flying...

It's Sam, but fully present! No- I mean, she's stuffed *into* a present. With a little bow on her head!

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DinoToons @dinotoons.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

Eyelashes, part 8! After quite a while, (a couple years when posting originally!), mama Pachycephalosaurus approaches Petra to talk... #transpride #transjoy #lgbtqparenting #queerparenting #protecttranskids

Mama steps into Petra's room, opening the curtain and saying hesitantly, "Hi..... Petra. Could we talk?"
Petra seems hesitant, but replies, "....Sure, Mama..."
Mama comes in and sits down beside Petra, wrapping a big blue tail around her. "How... Long have you felt like you were a girl?"
"it's kind of hard to explain...," Petra answers. "I talked to lots of dinos, tried lots of things... it took a few years before I knew for sure."
Mama smiles. "That sounds like hard work," she says.
"It was. But it paid off. I'm really happy, mama," Petra answers.

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DinoToons @dinotoons.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

Eyelashes Part 7! Is it rude to disclose that someone else is trans? In this comic, Papa Pachycephalosaurus explains to Petra something important, and asks her to imagine how much more peaceful it'd be if she could just be herself... #transrights #dinos

"Papa! I met Piper Plateosaurus!" Petra cries.
"Wow! I love his music...," Papa answers, sitting on a couch with his newspaper.
"He's LIKE ME!" Petra giggles. "He didn't hatch as Piper. He uses a different name now!!"
Papa's expression becomes more worried. "Oh Petra, Princes.... did you ask if it was okay to tell other dinos?"
"Well... no," Petra says as the camera moves to show Papa's face more.
"Ask permission, okay? It might be a secret," Papa says.
"A secret? Why?"
As the camera pulls back again, Papa says, "Dinos ask you some really annoying questions, right?"
"All the time...," Petra murmurs.
Papa continues, "Wouldn't it be nice to just be Petra, and not have to explain?"

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DinoToons @dinotoons.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

When one changes their name, sometimes relatives get stuck on the idea that they're "losing" something. But a name change often means, "I'm still me, and now my name feels like me, too." In DinoToons, I try to show the importance of accepting change - even when we don't understand. #HappyPride

As the sun sets behind them, Porter's best friend says, "I've been Ella since I was a calf. Now listen Porter, please do not laugh. My name, I think... I'd like to change. Could you call me Eceho? Would that be strange?" Page from Formerly Known as Ella - DinoToons book 2!

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DinoToons @dinotoons.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

Eyelashes Part 6! One of the biggest supports you can find as a trans person is the connection of another trans person! Meet Piper Plateosaurus, a successful singer and someone who's already gone through transition! #transpride #transjoy

"Hello Petra, could we talk?" asks Piper as he waves.
"Woah... Piper Plateosaurus?" Petra remembers him dancing on stage!
"Aren't you a singer?" she recalls. To us, she adds, (Papa LOVES this guy's songs...)
"Well, I've only been 'Piper' for about ten years or so...." Piper explains as Petra gives him a confused 'huh.'
"I used to be.... 'Pipette'" Piper says.
"No way! Yuo're like me?" Petra asks, blushing and surprised. "You said your old name so easily..."
"it's a skill."
"So cool..."

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DinoToons @dinotoons.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

Eyelashes Part 5! Boy pachycephalosaurus grow to have particularly impressive domes, and for Petra... it feels way too big! Petra is experiencing gender dysphoria - which means that her body doesn't match her gender identity. Her hat helps her feel more comfortable when she's out and about! #trans

"Hey.... Petra now, right? What's the hat for?" asks Gale Goyocephale.
"Oh..." With a big think bubble, Petra recalls a situation between her parents. "P- is getting so big! And his dome is really coming in. Think he'll be a champion headbutter like his papa?" Papa Pachycephalosaurus had once said.
Petra also remembers Trixie Tuojiangosaurus, gifting her her pink hat with a cute flower on it. "Petra dear! I made you something! You'll come to next week's girl's night too, right?" Trixie had asked.
Petra remembers looking into the mirror just that morning. Her dome looks so much bigger when she sees it in the mirror.
"I just really like hats!" Petra tells Gale, starting away.
"Oh, ok! I'll buy you some!" Gale offers as she goes.

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DinoToons @dinotoons.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

A little interjection from Eyelashes to show off Marco Maiasaura's introduction comic! Marco is asexual and aromantic - he's really not looking for any dino partners! And sometimes when he thinks of his species name, "good mother lizard," he feels like the expectations are kind of a lot...

"The name Maiasaura means 'good mother lizard,'" Marco says.
Compared to "near crested lizard, or iguana tooth, or first horned face"...
"isn't Maiasaura kind of a lot of pressure?"
"It's not that I don't like kids, but I'm happy on my own. My herd thinks that's weird," he explains to Peggy Parasaurolophus and Irene Iguanodon.
"We could take the title for you, Marco!" Peggy offers.
"Really Peggy?" Marco asks, smiling now.
"it'd be an honor!" Irene agrees.

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DinoToons @dinotoons.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

A very happy Father's Day, even if we're a little late! Here's Eyelashes part 4, in which Petra's Papa Pachycephalosaurus is a supportive dad dino!!

"Petra, that you?" calls Papa, as Petra takes the hat off her dome.
Looking up, she thinks, 'He used my new name!' while calling, "Papa?" aloud.
"How was girl's night, Petra?" Papa asks, glad to welcome her home.
Petra hugs him tight and cries a little (a lot), and he looks proud.
"Wow. You cry just like your mom," Papa says, giving her back a little pat.
"T-thanks...," Petra cries. To herself, she thinks, 'why am I so happy about that..?'

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DinoToons @dinotoons.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

Possibly the most bittersweet comic in the miniseries, Eyelashes Part 3. When coming out as trans, not everyone "gets it" or is accepting right away. In Petra's case... her mom is going to take a little longer. Let's build towards a more understanding world together. #transrights #pridemonth

"So I told my parents about my new name... and that I was going to a 'girl's night out,'" Petra explains, sitting around a campfire with Trixie and Sam, each of them wrapped in blankets.

"How did they take it?" Sam asks.
Petra looks worried. "Okay I think. My mom cried..."

Cut to Petra at home. Mama Pachycephalosaurus says "I'll miss my little boy," as she clutches a tissue.
"I'm still me, mama...," Petra answers, looking down.

"If it helps, my mom said the same thing when I went to college," Sam offers, back at the campsite. Trixie is worried beside her.
Petra muses for a bit. "Maybe moms just don't like change?"

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DinoToons @dinotoons.bsky.social · 08/06/2025

Next comes Eyelashes Part 2! Some trans dinos are (relatively) comfortable hearing their dead name - that is, the name they had before their new one - but Petra is NOT one such dino! Whenever Petra's dead name is spoken by a character, it's represented by the first letter and a dash censor! #pride

"Hey P____!" Ollie calls. Petra's startled face says it all!
Petra taps her hands together, blushes and glances back.
"Reminder, it's Petra now...," she says, not wanting to give him flack.

Ollie throws himself to the ground. "I'm so sorry! I forgot!!"
"It's okay! Just something to keep in mind...," Petra assures, not giving another thought.
Yet Ollie wails, "I feel so baaaad!" as his eyes get big with tears all around.
"Ollie, calm down! I'm just reminding you! Stop crying!" But silly Ollie stays on the ground.

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DinoToons @dinotoons.bsky.social · 07/06/2025

Eyelashes, Part 1! Feels so long ago now that Petra found her name.... This Comic originally came out in July 2020! Gonna steadily post all 10 parts of Petra's miniseries "Eyelashes" on here, but you can read them all now at dinotoons.net/comics! #transjoy #transrights #transpride

"Sam!" a green dino ran to Sam, who looked up from her book as she lay curled up under a tree.
"Yes?" Sam answered, as pink and as saltasaurus as could be!

The pachycephalosaurus looked shy! Wringing their hands and blushing all red. "Can... can you... call me Petra?" they said.

Sam smiled and closed her eyes. "Okay... sure thing, Petra!"

And up Petra went in a big leap of joy! "Aha! That's the one!" she cried. "My new name! Woohoo!"
"Ohh! I like it!" Sam answered, and she meant it too!

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DinoToons @dinotoons.bsky.social · 07/06/2025

Sam Saltasaurus is pansexual. 'Pan' comes from Greek, and means 'all.' Pansexual and Panromantic people are able experience attraction to others regardless of gender! Originally drawn for Pan Visibility Day 2022! #panpride #pridemonth

It's Sam Saltasaurus, she's as pink as a petunia!
Today she bears the "Pan Pride" flag - pink, yellow, and blue!
She kind of looks like she's floating, but her one lifted arm says, "Hi to you!"

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Reposted by DinoToons

Phoenix Baldwin @phoenixofstarlight.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

DinoToons® is an LGBTQ+ inclusive series that emphasizes empathy for everyone – whether they look, act, or love differently, it’s a series for all kinds of families. This Pride Month, take 30% off using code "PRIDE25" at checkout. You can find links to each book at dinotoons.net #booksky #kidlit

Cover images for the five DinoToons books - Here Comes the Moon, Curse of the Iguana, Under the Whether, and Sam is Super ...Duper Picky! A sale is running for the books, "PRIDE25" for 30% off.

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DinoToons @dinotoons.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

Don't forget to hug your iguanodon!!!

Peggy Parasaurolophus giving her girlfriend Irene Iguanodon a BIG hug! The background is a circle with the lesbian pride flag colors!

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DinoToons @dinotoons.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

#animationtest Are you a snork mimimi or a honk shoo? 🤔 This was done a while ago as a little sketch test - Cedar Ceratosaurus is snoring so soundly as soon as the sun sets!

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DinoToons @dinotoons.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

🌈🌈🌈Some cute Pride Flag heart designs, using a bunch of DinoToons character silhouettes! www.redbubble.com/people/feeni...

Heart shape made of dino silhouettes - Asexual Pride Flag Colors!

Heart shape made of dino silhouettes - Lesbian Pride Flag Colors!

Heart shape made of dino silhouettes - Nonbinary Pride Flag Colors!

Heart shape made of dino silhouettes - Transgender Pride Flag Colors!

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DinoToons @dinotoons.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

And because since the last post we've got more of these, here's the full little collection of "Pronoun Pin Buddies!" At conventions we have a basket of free buttons that have DinoToons characters and their respective pronouns. It's been so sweet watching people find the one that matches them best! 💖

Petra Pachycephalosaurus (she/her), Claude Carnotaurus (he/him), Echo Einiosaurus (they/them), Kelvin Kentrosaurus (any pronouns), Piper Plateosaurus (he/they), Sawyer Saichania (she/they)

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DinoToons @dinotoons.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

DinoToons is gonna take some time to post works made originally for the Instagram over here, so you might see some stuff you've already seen.... but these are still important! Happy Pride Month! Stay safe and hang in there!🏳️‍🌈 #transrights

"Your Name Matters, Your Pronouns Matter, You Matter. Hang in There." Featuring Petra Pachycephalosaurus (she/her), Piper Plateosaurus (he/him) and Echo Einiosaurus (they/them). Originally made for the DinoToons IG, now reposted for BlueSky. Trans flag colors in the background!

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DinoToons @dinotoons.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

Oh, to be a wee ceratopsian riding on the shell of an archelon... www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/1695...

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DinoToons @dinotoons.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

"River Egg" Part 3! You can see the earlier two parts of this series at dinotoons.net/comics

Regarding the egg that Peggy had found, Irene uses the ptero-phone to call all around.
After some calls, Rachel has something to say! "A flood... in Vast Valley?" Irene answers. "So far away..."
"What herds are out there?" Irene asks as Peggy snores. Remembering the dino's shape, she adds, "Any hadrosaurs?"
"Shantungosaurus... Okay!" she says at last. "We'll try to reach them!" They'll need to move fast!
But it's full of these dinos, maybe the egg's ma! Peggy and Irene will venture out next time - for now, ta-ta!

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DinoToons @dinotoons.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

"Pins" - DinoToons comics are back in production after a long few months! You can read all of the previous ones at dinotoons.net/comics

Dani picks up a blanket, admiring its pink hearts. They head to Echo and a conversation starts!
"How much?" "Ten please!" goes the exchange. And while Dani says "Sure thing," Echo notices something strange.
"Oh! I love your pins!" Echo exclaims once they see - that on Dani's bag are pins for LGBT and nonbinary!
As Dani gets their money and sets the cloth on the shelf, they answer "Oh Thank you! I made them myself!"
"They're so pretty!" Echo answers, their hooves on their chin. Maybe in this moment, a new friendship will begin!

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