In this comprehensive and impeccably researched book, award-winning nonfiction author Caroline Arnold explores a growing body of fossil evidence that reveals that dinosaurs were the ancient ancestors of birds. Many scientists have long believed that dinosaurs and birds were related, because of their numerous shared characteristics. But it is the most recent findings—of dinosaurs with feathers—that have finally cemented the bird-dinosaur connection. Illustrated with detailed watercolors, this book presents new and old evidence of how these ancient creatures are related to modern birds. It will convince all readers that at least one branch of the dinosaur family tree is not extinct but, in fact, alive and well—and flying.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Gr 3-6-Starting with the discovery of the first Archaeopteryx fossil in 1861, Arnold traces the relationship between dinosaurs and modern birds. Along the way she shares a wealth of information about how and why scientists classify ancient species. The skeletal features of theropods, for example, share many commonalities with birds. Arnold describes these traits, then gives specific examples of dinosaur species that strongly support the connection. Several pages on the feathers of dinosaurs also include general speculation along with particular facts about several recently discovered Chinese fossils. Caple's watercolors are clear and lively, and not overly dramatic. Some depict the creatures in their natural settings, while others show the figure only, against a white background. The illustrations that compare the features of individual dinosaurs to those birds that they resemble are especially effective. Arnold distinguishes speculation from known facts with phrases such as "most likely" and "may have." Christopher Sloan's Feathered Dinosaurs (National Geographic, 2000) covers much the same ground, in a slightly livelier style, but the pleasing clarity of Arnold's prose and Caple's drawings makes this an equally worthwhile choice.
Steven Engelfried, Beaverton City Library, OR
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Gr. 4-5. Although the pace of discovery practically guarantees that this will be out of date by the time it reaches library shelves, Arnold's brief survey of recent and not-so-recent finds will excite children unaware of some startling developments in our understanding of prehistoric life. In a connected narrative matched to an array of artfully posed reconstructions, Arnold identifies more than a dozen types of theropods and related ancient creatures that seem to have sported feathers or featherlike structures, pointing out several anatomical features they shared with each other, and with birds of today. Caple's pale palette isn't as dramatic as the vivid colors in Christopher Sloan's Feathered Dinosaurs (2000), which will grab browsers first. But as a source of systematically presented information for younger readers, this book will be a valuable additional purchase. John Peters
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
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More About the Author
Caroline Arnold is the author of more than 100 books for children. She writes both fiction and nonfiction and recently has illustrated some of her books with striking cut paper art. To see prints and cards of her illustrations, go to www.etsy.com/shop/CarolineArnoldArt. Recent nonfiction titles include A Polar Bear's World, A Bald Eagle's World, Global Warming and the Dinosaurs, A Panda's World, Giant Sea Reptiles of the Dinosaur Age, Super Swimmers, and Easter Island. Her recent fiction books include Wiggle and Waggle, a collection of five stories for beginning readers, and The Terrible Hodag and the Animal Catchers, a tall tale.
Her books have received awards from the American Library Association, the National Science Teachers Association, P.E.N., and SCBWI. Recently she received the Washington Post/Children's Book Guild Nonfiction Award for her body of work, the Leo Politi Award from California Readers, and from the Children's Literature Council of Southern California, the Best Written and Illustrated Suite of Nonfiction for children.
Caroline's interest in animals and the out-of-doors began when she was a child growing up in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After majoring in art and literature at Grinnell College in Iowa, she received her M.A. in art from the University of Iowa. Some of her new books are illustrated with her own art. Caroline lives in Los Angeles and teaches part-time in the Writer's Program at UCLA Extension.
Her books have received awards from the American Library Association, the National Science Teachers Association, P.E.N., and SCBWI. Recently she received the Washington Post/Children's Book Guild Nonfiction Award for her body of work, the Leo Politi Award from California Readers, and from the Children's Literature Council of Southern California, the Best Written and Illustrated Suite of Nonfiction for children.
Caroline's interest in animals and the out-of-doors began when she was a child growing up in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After majoring in art and literature at Grinnell College in Iowa, she received her M.A. in art from the University of Iowa. Some of her new books are illustrated with her own art. Caroline lives in Los Angeles and teaches part-time in the Writer's Program at UCLA Extension.
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