Dinosaur Mania, 2004
For many of us the fascination with dinosaurs goes back to our early childhood. One of the biggest attractions surely is the fact that they are no longer here and that creatures so fantastic and so incredible could suddenly and dramatically disappear. What happened to them all those millions of years ago is still an unknown. The public watches as the scientists battle it out, theories fly to and fro, and the mystery remains, as yet, still a mystery.
What is truly remarkable is the way in which paleontologists have been able to piece together so much information when they really have so little material to work with. It is believed that we have found only a small percentage of the total number of dinosaur species that existed. We have unearthed a thigh bone here, a skull, a tooth there. Often no more than half an animal of a single species defines it. And yet, with the patience that surely deserves half a dozen medals, these scientists and enthusiasts pick away at rock, peer down microscopes, trudge for miles in the baking heat, and come up with the most wonderful ideas and deductions. Due to their persistence and perseverance they have found eggs, nests, babies hatching from eggs, a dinosaur heart, dinosaur "poop", footprints, and all sorts of other treasures which they have used piece together the history, physiology, and even the behavior of the animals to which they belonged.
Nowadays we have the wonders of the computer age at our command; technology which would no doubt would have made the mouths of those early "Fossil Hunters" water if they could only have used it. In a very real sense we can now bring the dinosaurs to life on a computer screen, programming in equations and statistics taken from the data found in the fossil records.
In the books selected below we have chosen to highlight some of the best dinosaur books available. What we have looked for are books that show how complex and advanced dinosaurs were. They inhabited all the major regions on the earth and adapted to many different environments. We have tried to find the books which discuss the new theories and ideas and which have the enthusiasm and eagerness which surely was what drove the very first fossil hunters to ask the questions: "Why?" "How?" and, "I want to know more."
Contributor: Marya Jansen-Gruber
Book Reviewer and Writer
mjansengruber@mindspring.com
Reviews
The Cretaceous Dinosaurs
Rupert Matthews
The Cretaceous was a very exciting period of the dinosaur age and a very dramatic one. Not only did a great number of extraordinary dinosaurs and other animals and plants arise in this period, but as the end of it a mass extinction wiped the dinosaurs out completely. In this beautiful information-packed book many aspects of the lives of the Cretaceous dinosaurs are examined. We invited are to look at life in the sea, the air, and on land. Physiology, hunting, and breeding behaviors are also examined. How extraordinary it would be to watch a pair of Pachycephalosuarus charging at one another in a head butting fight over females. With double-page, highly colored, and vibrant illustrations found throughout the book it is possible to come very close to doing just this. In addition, there are double page spreads with fully annotated illustrations, text, and photos of fossils. Beautifully presented and with a clear sense of what would appeal to a young reader, this is a wonderful book for a dinosaur enthusiast. This is one of the books in the Dinosaur Undercover series. Readers will find an index in the back of the book. 2002, Blackbirch Press, Ages 9 to 12, $29.95.
Reviewer: Marya Jansen-Gruber
ISBN: 1-56711-602-7
Dinosaurs A-Z
Rupert Matthews
Dinosaurs have a strange appeal, almost a magnetism which can quickly turn into a full blown fascination. It is not always easy to find the right kind of book when the dinosaur bug bites the young reader. This book is the prefect fuel for just such a fire of enthusiasm because it not only addresses the basic dinosaur story: "What is a dinosaur?" "The Age of Dinosaurs," and "Evolution". What this book mostly does is it lists the main dinosaur groups alphabetically describing its basic characteristics and interesting anecdotes about each. In addition the reader will find boxes throughout the book ("Dig it" boxes) which are full of little bits of information which will be remembered and no doubt recited back at odd moments. Each entry is accompanied by a full color illustration of the dinosaur and a comparison illustration which shows how big the dinosaur was in relation to a human. This book is definitely a must for the young dinosaur buff. At the back of the book the reader will find a glossary and an index. 2002, Blackbirch Press, Ages 4 to 8, $29.95.
Reviewer: Marya Jansen-Gruber
ISBN: 1-56711-548-9
Dinosaurs: All Shapes and Sizes
Dougal Dixon
All too often we are tempted to think of the dinosaurs in terms of being those exotic, mysterious creatures which lived millions upon millions of years ago and which were not as complex as the animals of today. Dougal Dixon has gone to great lengths to dispel this way of thinking and this book is just of one example of his many successes in his crusade. To help us see how the dinosaurs might have behaved in their natural environment he often compares them to animals that exist today. For example, Elaphrosaurus, "a birdlike meat-eater" might have been very like the modern day cheetah which is found on African savannahs. With a long and swift body, and powerful legs capable of generating great speed for short distances, Elaphrosaurus once roamed the woods and thickets of Late Jurassic Tanzania. All at once this dinosaur is no longer a creature existing in an empty space but a living and breathing animal which hunted and chased prey and just like the cheetah, sometimes failed to catch the animal it was after. Packed with fascinating information, written with a clear love of the subject and an obvious desire to share this with others, filled with full-color illustrations, photos and diagrams, this a book that will delight anyone who has a fondness for dinosaurs. At the back of the book the reader will find a page of "Do you know" topics which positively beg to be read out loud to an audience. In addition there is a glossary and an index. This is one of the books in the 'Highlights' series. 1993, Boyds Mills Press, Ages 10 to 12, $5.95. Reviewer: Marya Jansen-Gruber
ISBN: 1-56397-535-1
Dinosaurs: The Fossil Hunters
Dougal Dixon
All too often we are tempted to think of the dinosaurs in terms of being those exotic, mysterious creatures which lived millions upon millions of years ago and which were not as complex as the animals of today. Dougal Dixon has gone to great lengths to dispel this way of thinking and this book is just of one example of his many successes in his crusade. Dixon not only tells the story of the great discoveries in paleontology and describes the successes of the 'heroes' in the field, but he also tells us about how fossils are formed, how they are recovered and how experts find out so much from so little. We are also reminded that it was often a violent and sudden "catastrophe" which made it possible for us to study fossils today. After all, fossil formation cannot occur unless certain requirements are met. Packed with fascinating information, written with a clear love of the subject and an obvious desire to share this with others, filled with full-color illustrations, photos and diagrams, this a book that will delight anyone who has a fondness for dinosaurs. At the back of the book the reader will find a page of "Do you know" topics which positively beg to be read out loud to an audience. In addition there is a glossary and an index. This is one of the books in the 'Highlights' series. 1993, Boyds Mills Press, Ages 10 to 12, $5.95. Reviewer: Marya Jansen-Gruber
ISBN: 1-56397-532-7
Dinosaurs: Giants of the Earth
Dougal Dixon
All too often we are tempted to think of the dinosaurs in terms of being those exotic, mysterious creatures which lived millions upon millions of years ago and which were not as complex as the animals of today. Dougal Dixon has gone to great lengths to dispel this way of thinking and this book is just of one example of his many successes in his crusade. He begins by giving the reader a sound background in the history of when the dinosaurs existed on earth and what the world was like at those times. Graphs and illustrations help to make these rather complicated concepts accessible and visual. Then we make the natural transition to a discussion about evolution. This is followed by a discussion about how the world has changed over time and why these changes have taken place. Very often the different 'periods' or 'ages' of dinosaurs can be highly confusing. Here again, Dixon has succeeded in clarifying these ideas in such a way as to make them easy to understand. Packed with fascinating information, written with a clear love of the subject and an obvious desire to share this with others, filled with full-color illustrations, photos and diagrams, this a book that will delight anyone who has a fondness for dinosaurs. At the back of the book the reader will find a page of "Do you know" topics which positively beg to be read out loud to an audience. In addition there is a glossary and an index. This is one of the books in the 'Highlights' series. 1993, Boyds Mills Press, Ages 10 to 12, $5.95. Reviewer: Marya Jansen-Gruber
ISBN: 1-56397-534-3
Dinosaurs! Strange and Wonderful
Laurence Pringle
Illustrated by Carol Heyer
Very often when we think of dinosaurs we think of the great huge creatures whose bones have been discovered and put together to create mammoth skeletons that we can look at in museums. We think of T. Rex and Stegosaurus, Triceratops and Brachiosaurus. Now we are shown not only these creatures that perhaps are old friends, but some new animals. In this extremely intensive and yet highly readable and entertaining book we discover that there was truly a world of dinosaurs. They lived in every possible kind of environment, flew in the air, and small dinosaurs scuttled in the undergrowth. How many of us can honestly say that they thought about their being small dinosaurs! Not only that but some dinosaurs were tender mothers who cared for their eggs and their babies. In addition to describing the dinosaurs, the author tells the reader all about the process of discovery and how we know as much, or as little, as we do about these animals of the past. In brilliant and vibrant colors, Carol Heyer has been shown herself to be unafraid of using her imagination. Her dinosaurs are full of life and we are left in no doubt that they were truly the rulers of the age in which they lived. Well researched and clearly written with a love of the subject, this is a wonderful book to use to introduce a child to dinosaurs and their times. 1995, Boyds Mills Press, Ages 6 to 8, $15.95. Reviewer: Marya Jansen-Gruber
ISBN: 1-878093-16-9
Dougal Dixon's Dinosaurs (Updated Edition)
Dougal Dixon
All too often we are tempted to think of the dinosaurs in terms of being those exotic, mysterious creatures which lived millions upon millions of years ago and which were not as complex as the animals of today. Dougal Dixon has gone to great lengths to dispel this way of thinking and this book is just of one example of his many successes in his crusade. He begins by giving the reader a sound background in the history of when the dinosaurs existed on earth and what the world was like at those times. Graphs and illustrations help to make these rather complicated concepts accessible and visual. Then we make the natural transition to a discussion about evolution and thence onto looking at some of the most 'popular' dinosaur species. This is where Dixon has really outdone himself. To help us see how the dinosaurs might have behaved in their natural environment he often compares them to animals that exist today. For example, Elaphrosaurus, "a birdlike meat-eater" might have been very like the modern day cheetah which is found on African savannahs. With a long and swift body, and powerful legs capable of generating great speed for short distances, Elaphrosaurus once roamed the woods and thickets of Late Jurassic Tanzania. All at once this dinosaur is no longer a creature existing in an empty space but a living and breathing animal which hunted and chased prey and just like the cheetah, sometimes failed to catch the animal it was after. Following the section about the various dinosaur species are chapters which examine various aspects of dinosaur physiology, including examining those questions that are always popping up when one thinks of dinosaurs: Were dinosaurs warm or cold blooded? What happened to them? Finally Dixon takes a look at those remarkable people who have come to be called "The Fossil Hunters." This section not only tells the story of the great discoveries in paleontology, but it also tells us about how fossils are formed, how they are recovered and how experts find out so much from so little. Packed with fascinating information, written with a clear love of the subject and an obvious desire to share this with others, filled with full-color illustrations, photos and diagrams, this a book that will delight anyone who has a fondness for dinosaurs. Perhaps more significantly, it has the potential to turn a moderately interested person into a full blown dinosaur enthusiast. Readers will find several pages of "Do you know" topics at the back of the book which positively beg to be read out loud to an audience. In addition there is a glossary and an index. 1998, Boyds Mills Press, Ages 12 up, 19.95. Reviewer: Marya Jansen-Gruber
ISBN: 1-56397-722-2
The End of the Dinosaurs
Rupert Matthews
It is hard to imagine what kind of an event could possibly have wiped out millions of animals and plants. And yet, that is exactly what happened 65 million years ago. For decades scientists have argued over what this event was. In this highly successful book, the main ideas have been brought together to offer the reader the chance to discuss and think about the theories that have been brought forward so far. The reader will be introduced to the asteroid/meteor theory, the cooling climate theory, the volcano theory, and others. These ideas are then followed by topics about the animals that followed the dinosaurs. Finally the reader can explore how we have come to learn so much about dinosaurs through the fossil record. Throughout the book there are both full page illustrations and double-page spreads with fully annotated illustrations, text, and photos of fossils. Beautifully presented and with a clear sense of what would appeal to a young reader, this is a wonderful book for a dinosaur enthusiast. This is one of the books in the Dinosaur Undercover series. Readers will find an index in the back of the book. 2002, Blackbirch Press, Ages 9 to 12, $29.95. Reviewer: Marya Jansen-Gruber
ISBN: 1-56711-603-5
Eyewitness: Dinosaur
Dr. David Norman and Dr. Angela Milner
There is so much to discover and learn about dinosaurs that it is not always easy to take it all in. Often the material is presented in a very dry or dull way. In this wonderful book we are offered a wealth of material but it is in a form that is unique to the Eyewitness books. Not only are there illustrations and copies of prints, but there are also a plethora of photographs. These photographs often dominate the page giving the reader a sense of being almost able to touch the item or animal. There are photos of modern reptiles, of replica dinosaurs, of fossils of every shape and size, of plants, tools that "Fossil Hunters" use in the field, and of paleontologists working on dinosaur remains to discover their secrets. Every picture and photograph is at the very least labeled and more often than not it has a detailed annotation that goes with it. Actual text is relatively short and yet the reader still receives a great deal of fascinating information about dinosaurs, their times, and how we learn about them. The authors cover both the expected basic topics including physiology, habits, evolution, and extinction, and also a few interesting subjects that are not as commonly discussed. These included a very interesting chapter entitled "Myths and Legends" which describes the many misconceptions that have arisen around dinosaurs. For example it is believed that the Chinese developed their dragon myths from the dinosaur bones that they found. This is a wonderful book for a younger reader who is not yet ready to read the more advanced reference books about dinosaurs. 2000, Dorling Kindersley, Ages 9 to 12, 15.95. Reviewer: Marya Jansen-Gruber
ISBN: 0-7894-5808-X
Fast Forward: Dinosaur
Nicolas Harris
Illustrated by Peter David Scott
Trying to imagine what the world might have been like 160 million years ago sounds impossible, and yet, it is not as impossible as it sounds. In this fully illustrated and unique book we are taken on a colorful journey through time. It all beings in a hot, no doubt most inhospitable, swamp in China. It is 160 years ago and we are going to follow the birth, life, death and 'resurrection' of a Mamenchisaurus. This species of dinosaur is one of those familiar enormous, plodding plant-eating dinosaurs with the extremely long necks. As the story begins we are introduced to various dinosaur species that live in the swamp including our main character, the Mamenchisaurus. We turn the page and find ourselves in the same swamp but a few weeks later. Our Mamenchisaurus have built themselves a nest and have a clutch of eggs to look after. Turn the page again and the Mamenchisaurus have babies running around under their feet. Each time a page is turned you move forward in time. It can be a few minutes, a few weeks, a few months, a few years, or millions of years. As time passes, as we turn the pages, we watch what happens to one of the baby Mamenchisaurus. We also learn a lot about the dinosaurs and their world, how they eat, how they interact with one another, and how they survive in a hostile environment. By telling a story about one dinosaur through pictures with beautiful illustrations, the illustrator and the author of the text have created a book which provides a wealth of information in a delightful and highly interactive package. Tabs on the side of the book can be used to flip the pages backward and forward to any point in the timeline be it the present day to millions of years ago. At the back of the book readers will find a glossary of words used in the book and an index. 2002, Barron's Educational Series Inc., Ages 7 to 9, $14.95. Reviewer: Marya Jansen-Gruber
ISBN: 0-7641-5584-9
The Jurassic Dinosaurs
Rupert Matthews
It is perhaps the Jurassic era dinosaurs that come to mind when we think about dinosaurs. Those huge and get somehow elegant Sauropods and the fierce and highly successful carnivores. In this beautiful information-packed book many aspects of the lives of the Jurassic dinosaurs are examined. Among many other topics, we are invited are to look at life in the sea and in the air; we can compare the lives of the huge and slow moving Sauropod herbivores with the swift and bipedal carnivores. How extraordinary it would be to watch a pair of Allosaurus fight over the remains of a kill. With double-page, highly colored, and vibrant illustrations found throughout the book it is possible to come very close to doing just this. In addition, there are double page spreads with fully annotated illustrations, text, and photos of fossils. Beautifully presented and with a clear sense of what would appeal to a young reader, this is a wonderful book for a dinosaur enthusiast. This is one of the books in the Dinosaur Undercover series. Readers will find an index in the back of the book. 2002, Blackbirch Press, Ages, $29.95. Reviewer: Marya Jansen-Gruber
ISBN: 1-56711-601-9
New Dinos: The Latest Finds! The Coolest Dinosaur Discoveries
Shelly Tanaka
Illustrated by Alan Barnard
Paleontological consultation by Dr. Philip J. Currie
Just when you think that you understand a subject someone comes along and turns everything on its head. Once upon a time we were told that the great and terrible Tyrannosaurus Rex was the biggest meat-eating dinosaur of all time. Now it appears that there is another carnivore that was bigger, the aptly named Gigantosaurus. For anyone who has even a moderate interest in dinosaurs, this is a book to savor and delight in. Which was the biggest? Who was the meanest? What happened to wipe the dinosaurs out? Were dinosaurs cold blooded after all? All these questions and so many more are discussed in this beautifully illustrated and annotated book. What we are left in no doubt of is that studying and finding out about dinosaurs is a fascinating and exciting business. Who would have thought that you could learn so much from the fossilized "poop" of a creature that died millions of years ago. With the innate sense of the dramatic and an obvious keen understanding of how to reach her audience, Shelley Tanaka has created a wonderful book that will entertain the reader for hours and provide a great source for discussion. At the back of the book the reader will find a map showing where "New Dinosaur Finds" were located. There is also a glossary, a pronunciation guide, a list of web sites, recommended reading, and an index. 2003, Atheneum, Ages 8 to 10, $16.95. Reviewer: Marya Jansen-Gruber
ISBN: 0-689-85183-9
Scholastic Dinosaurs A to Z: The Ultimate Dinosaur Encyclopedia
Don Lessem
Illustrated by Jan Sovak
If you have ever wanted to read about every dinosaur that has been scientifically discovered then you have finally found that all-in-one book that you have been looking for. Each of the seven hundred alphabetically listed dinosaurs has its name explained (which can be quite interesting in some cases), its vital statistics given and then its "Details" are described. These can vary from a simple description of what the dinosaur might have looked like, to how the dinosaur hunted for its food, to where the best specimens of fossils were found. Throughout the book the reader will find wonderful full-page and smaller illustrations of the dinosaurs and their world. In addition boxes feature the men and women who made some of the great landmark discoveries in paleontology. Additional boxes also highlight little known but fascinating facts about dinosaurs that may be of particular interest to readers. In the front of the book, before the encyclopedia proper begins, readers will find a forward written by "Dino" Don Lessem, a description on how the book is organized, and several short chapters about dinosaurs and how they are discovered. In the back of the book there is a resources section which lists books, videos, favorite web sites, museums, and paleontological expeditions. This is truly a book dip into again and again. 2003, Scholastic Reference, Ages 10 up, $22.95. Reviewer: Marya Jansen-Gruber
ISBN: 0-439-16591-1
T. Rex: The Adventure of Tyrannosaurus Rex
Michael Dahl
Illustrated by Jeff Yesh
We are invited into the world of a great meat-eating dinosaur, a sharp-eyed, eagerly sniffing animal which surely must have dominated any neighborhood it walked into. After all, the infamous T. Rex was "as long as a city bus and as tall as an elephant." This was not the kind of animal that one could easily avoid or ignore, especially if one was smaller than T.Rex was. The author both takes us on a hunt with a T. Rex showing us the world that this great animal lived in, and he also provides us with lots of facts about this great dinosaur which has fascinated people so much for so long. Somewhat strange and vivid paintings follow the dinosaur's progress towards its prey, bringing the dinosaur world of sixty five million years ago to life. One of a series of six books about dinosaurs, this is an excellent book to use in a classroom to introduce children to the different species of dinosaurs that existed at different times in world history. At the back of the book readers will find a section showing where and when T. Rex lived and also further information about the species in a section entitled "Digging Deeper." In addition, there is a glossary, a list of books that provide further information, a list of websites, and an index. 2003, Picture Window Books, Ages 5 to 9, $21.26. Reviewer: Marya Jansen-Gruber
ISBN: 1-4048-0139-1
The Triassic Dinosaurs
Rupert Matthews
All too often the early dinosaurs are forgotten. After all, it is the Cretaceous and Jurassic dinosaurs that get all the attention. And yet, the Triassic dinosaurs had a very important role to play in the big plan, for they were the distant ancestors of the dinosaurs that are so familiar to us: Tyrannosaurus Rex and the Iguanodons; Stegosaurus and the Raptors. Matthews explains the interesting yet complicated family trees very well and then moves on to tell us about the very weird and wonderful animals that lived in the Triassic era. Not only were there the early dinosaurs, but there were the early and very odd looking reptiles. At the same time, the Triassic world was home to small mammals. Matthews clearly shows us that the Triassic was a time of great change and it would be a mistake to underrate its influence on the eras that were to follow. Throughout the book there are both full page illustrations and double-page spreads with fully annotated illustrations, text, and photos of fossils. Beautifully presented and with a clear sense of what would appeal to a young reader, this is a wonderful book for a dinosaur enthusiast. This is one of the books in the Dinosaur Undercover series. Readers will find an index in the back of the book. 2002, Blackbirch Press, Ages, 9 to 12, $29.95. Reviewer: Marya Jansen-Gruber
ISBN: 1-56711-600-0
Winged and Toothless: The Adventures of a Pteranodon
Michael Dahl
Illustrated by Jeff Yesh
Long ago, eighty million years ago in fact, our world was a totally different place. The skies were not filled with birds but with great flying creatures with leathery wings and long beaks. These were the Pteranodons. By following one particular animal we are shown how these strange and yet wonderful creatures lived. Jeff Yesh uses his singular and very effective illustrations to bring the world of these bizarre creatures to life for us, to help us understand how well adapted the Petranodons were to the environment that they lived in. One of a series of six books about dinosaurs, this is an excellent book to use in a classroom to introduce children to the different species of dinosaurs that existed at different times in world history. At the back of the book readers will find a section showing where and when Pteranodons lived and also further information about the species in a section entitled "Digging Deeper." In addition, there is a glossary, a list of books that provide further information, a list of websites, and an index. 2003, Picture Window Books, Ages 5 to 9, $21.26. Reviewer: Marya Jansen-Gruber
ISBN: 1-4048-0137-5
To further answer those questions follow this link for our previous reviews of many informative dinosaur books and those that feature dinosaurs which seem to intrigue so many young kids.
Also visit www.dinoart.com.
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Added 9/1/03
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If you're interested in reviewing children's and young adult books, then send a resume and writing sample to marilyn@childrenslit.com.