Dinosaur Bones: And What They Tell Us - Softcover

Colson, Rob

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1770856943 ISBN 13: 9781770856943

Publisher: Firefly Books, 2016

Synopsis

Resembling a paleontologist's sketchbook filled with labeled watercolor drawings and descriptive notes, Dinosaur Bones is an accurate reference to 40 dinosaurs, marine reptiles, flying reptiles and prehistoric mammals.

The book begins with a brief introduction to life before the dinosaurs and the appearance of amphibians and early land mammals. Then, 150 million years later, the dog-sized Ornitholestes dinosaur appears. Chronologically thereafter, double-page spreads depict individual species, such as the Anhanguera, and dinosaur groups, like the duck-billed dinosaurs.

Each dinosaur species is shown by its skeleton, revealing what it looked like inside and out. A full-color computer graphic illustration shows each animal in its habitat. For the dinosaur groups, like the flying reptiles, individual species are shown in large full-color illustrations instead of just skeletons.

Succinct introductory paragraphs describe when and where each dinosaur lived and other interesting facts. The annotated illustrations highlight physical features and their purpose. A human-to-dinosaur shadow comparison reveals the size and shape. The Anhanguera, for example, had a wingspan of almost 15 feet but a body length of barely 8 inches.

Dinosaurs and prehistoric life are popular topics critical to understanding science and natural history. For all readers as well as supplemental to school curricula Dinosaur Bones is an essential comprehensive guide to these peculiar animals.

About this title

About the Author:

Rob Colson is the author of more than 40 books for children, on a range of subjects including science and technology, history and the natural world. He has also compiled quizzes and mathematical puzzles for children and adults. As an editor, he has worked on a wide variety of books on diverse subjects, from architecture and politics to Shakespeare and the movie industry. An avid student of history and science, he continues trying to figure out how the world works.

From School Library Journal:

Gr 2–5—A field guide to 20 unique prehistoric creatures. Each topic is given two spreads, with the information moving from specific to general. In the first spread, a specimen is presented in skeletal form accompanied by facts related to its physical structure. In the following spread, it is then fleshed out in color and discussed in relation to other members of its group or closely related species. Thus, readers gain an appreciation for the various families of dinosaurs. There are the usual favorites, like Tyrannosaurus rex, Ankylosaurus, and Apatosaurus, as well as lesser-known species, such as Psittacosaurus, Scelidosaurus, and Montanoceratops. Flying reptiles and marine reptiles are also included. Scale silhouettes that compare the size of certain dinosaurs to humans are helpful. Colson provides a general chronology of natural history, beginning with life before dinosaurs and concluding with the Ice Age and saber-tooth cats and mammoths. Every folio is a visual feast, brilliantly illustrated by Gray and Kirk. Some images reveal the sheer size and majesty of these creatures. Others show action poses of predators stalking prey. The illustrations vary among color paintings, computer graphics, and color photos of fossils. The text flows around the images, providing readers with material about each creature's anatomy and behavior and the origin of its name. The book concludes with a handy geologic time line that illustrates the movement of the continents. VERDICT Exactly what young paleontologists are looking for: big, beautiful pictures of dinosaurs. A solid addition to school and public libraries for elementary students to pore over.—Jeffrey Meyer, Mt. Pleasant Public Library, IA

About this edition

• Publisher: Firefly Books
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 1770856943
• ISBN 13: 9781770856943
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 96