Dinosaurs from Head to Tail - Hardcover

Roderick, Stacey

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1771380446 ISBN 13: 9781771380447

Publisher: Kids Can Press, 2015

Synopsis

From one dinosaur's head to another's tail, this informational picture book challenges readers to guess which prehistoric creature each of eight different body parts belongs to. (For example, “What dinosaur had claws like this?”) For each question, the answer is given on the following spread, with an overview that includes the name of the dinosaur, an illustration of the entire animal in its habitat and facts about the featured body part, such as why it looked the way it did and how scientists believe it was used. The colorful and eye-catching collage illustrations by Kwanchai Moriya offer a unique and friendly approach to the ever-popular subject of dinosaurs. The creatures are a mix of the popular (Tyrannosaurus) and the lesser-known (Therizinosaurus) and allow children the satisfaction of guessing some correctly while learning about others. A pronunciation guide accompanies the first mention of each dinosaur's name. There is also a bonus spread at the end of the book containing a quick look at seven more intriguing dinosaurs. Balancing a captivating picture book experience with just the right level of information, it is an ideal bridge between a basic concept book and a detailed encyclopedic book. It would work perfectly in a group lesson on prehistoric creatures or on animal bodies, with the highly engaging, interactive guessing-game component providing a way of enlivening the classroom discussion. It could also be used individually by higher-level readers as an interesting nonfiction choice or a reference book.

About this title

About the Author

Kwanchai Moriya is an illustrator and painter. He was born in New York and grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. He completed his education with a degree in History from the University of California and a degree in Illustration from the Art Center College of Design. Kwanchai lives and works in Los Angeles, California.

Reviews

PreS-Gr 3—Roderick challenges young dinosaur lovers to identify the animals from one of their prominent features. Toothy Tyrannosaurus's jaws and spiky Stegosaurus's back may be familiar, but Therizinosaurus's claws and Parasaurolophus's curved crest will likely stump most children. Each spread following the close-up reveals the entire dinosaur set in a prehistoric landscape. A paragraph of facts about the animal will please older children ready for more than a guessing game while adult readers will appreciate the pronunciation guidance for unfamiliar names. In addition to the eight dinosaurs that are featured, seven others receive a one-sentence introduction next to a small portrait. Moriya's digital collage illustrations incorporate photos and textures. The dinosaurs resemble figures made from construction paper. In fact, some viewers may be inspired to wield scissors and glue to produce their own prehistoric panoramas. VERDICT A fine choice for a basic introduction to dinosaurs that engages and informs young listeners.—Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University Library, Mankato

Edition details

• Publisher: Kids Can Press
• Publication date: 2015
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1771380446
• ISBN 13: 9781771380447
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Moriya Kwanchai
• Number of pages: 36