Dinosaur Dictionary

Gr 4-6-This dictionary presents two or three paragraphs about each dinosaur. The readable "definitions" include lots of current facts, mentioning things like how Megalosaurus may have waddled like a duck (because its toes pointed inward) or that Brachiosaurus may have had a long trunk, like an elephant. Unfortunately, the accompanying illustrations often contradict the text. For example, Hincks explains how Oviraptor was named because scientists thought it was an egg thief, but it has since been proven otherwise. The illustration shows a creature chowing down on eggs. Similarly, a Syntarsus is shown with feathers, though the text says few scientists today believe this was possible. And though the Maiasaura is shown with a nest of eggs, they aren't covered with sand or arranged in a spokelike formation as described by the text. These inaccuracies make it difficult to recommend this volume. Dinosaurs of the World (Marshall Cavendish, 1998), a superb multivolume encyclopedia edited by Chris Marshall, or Michael Benton's Dinosaur and Other Prehistoric Animal Factfinder (Kingfisher, 1993) are far better choices.-Cathryn A. Camper, Minneapolis Public Library

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