Did Dinosaurs Have Feathers? (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2) [Hardcover]

Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld (Author), Lucia Washburn (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Series: Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2

Bird or dinosaur? Birds are the only living animals with feathers, but did you know that some dinosaurs had feathers too? Unlike birds, these creatures had teeth and long, bony tails. They ranged in size from the feisty Microraptor, which was small enough to hold in your hand -- if you weren't afraid of its sharp teeth -- to the Beipiaosaurus, which was over seven feet long. Paleontologists learned about these creatures, which lived approximately 145 million years ago, by studying fossils.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4--Like Zoehfeld's other books on dinosaurs, this is a visually appealing, informative, and interesting read. The author leads youngsters from the first discovery of a fossil print of a feather in 1860 in Germany to more recent findings in China of dinosaur fossils showing plumage, and differentiates between the various types of feathers and their purposes. She also discusses the link between theropods and modern-day birds. Pastel illustrations in pale tones provide vivid visualizations of long-ago landscapes and the creatures being discussed. An inset map shows where in China the fossils were located. The book concludes with a section on finding out more about feathers and a note on washing and microwaving specimens collected outdoors to rid them of germs and "tiny insect critters." Libraries that serve dinosaur fanatics will find this a welcome addition.--Jean Lowery, Bishop Woods Elementary School, New Haven, CT
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

K-Gr. 3. This entry into the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series discusses fossil evidence of feathered dinosaurs and presents theories about the animals' lives and their probable position as the ancestors of modern birds. After focusing on the winged, prehistoric species Archaeopteryx, the discussion turns to the theropods, dinosaurs whose fossils have sometimes been discovered with prints of feathers. Washburn's appealing, soft-focus artwork fills up the pages. Apparently done in pastels, the pictures create both concrete images of fossil finds and imaginative scenes depicting prehistoric landscapes and animals. The book concludes with a two-page spread discussing feathers and encouraging children to collect, clean, and study them. An interesting addition to an excellent series. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; 1 edition (December 23, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060290269
• ISBN-13: 978-0060290269
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,983,270 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld is the award-winning author of more than sixty books for children, including DINOSAUR TRACKS, "a great choice for even the most discriminating dinophiles" (School Library Journal); DID DINOSAURS HAVE FEATHERS?, a Children's Book of the Month Club selection, described as "fascinating" by Kirkus Reviews; and DINOSAURS BIG AND SMALL, a 2003 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Book Award winner.

When she's not reading, researching, writing, or editing, Kathleen loves to spend her free time exploring, doing fieldwork, and preparing fossils for her local natural history museums.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for a young child who loves dinosaurs!!, August 3, 2005

By 

P. McGuire (NYC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Did Dinosaurs Have Feathers? (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2) (Paperback)

This book was full of wonderful pictures that really help make a connection between the ancient dinosaurs and today's everyday birds! My 3 yr. old absolutely loves this book- and if you are near NYC- it is the perfect thing to read before or after seeing the Museum of Natural History's temporary dinosaur display. This display, like the book, focuses on fossils found in an area of China which show the outlines and textures of feathers. As a person who grew up thinking that dinosaurs were reptiles and that there were about 5 different kinds- this book is extremely interesting and really opens your eyes to what kinds of animals dinosaurs really were.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, July 16, 2010

By 

Hyla Waldron "greenearthjourneydotcom" (Upstate, NY) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Did Dinosaurs Have Feathers? (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2) (Paperback)

This is a wonderful book. I bought this as a gift for an 6 year old boy who claimed to own every dinosaur book. Well he did not have this one and he loves it!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My 3.5 year old loves this book., June 1, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Did Dinosaurs Have Feathers? (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2) (Hardcover)

My daughter and I recently visited the San Diego Museum of Natural History and saw an excellent exhibit on the origins of birds. She has been asking me questions about which dinosaurs became birds that I could not answer. This book had the answers that she (and I) could understand and enjoy. Recommended for any young dinosaur fanatic.