Dinosaurs!: Strange and Wonderful [Hardcover]

Laurence Pringle (Author), Carol Heyer (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

A dramatically illustrated book offers a basic introduction to dinosaurs and their world, opens the door to paleontology for young dinosaur enthusiasts, and vividly brings to life dinosaurs through dramatic, scientifically accurate illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In his addition to the plethora of dino-titles, Pringle (Octopus Hug) presents a picture book introduction to this ever-intriguing subject. He examines the giant creatures' habits and natures, the ways in which paleontologists have gathered the information currently available-including some surprising new discoveries. Clearly written and well-suited to a younger audience, the book is meaty enough for slightly older readers too. Heyer's (Excalibur; Prancer) detailed acrylics, alternately realistic and stylized, offer an up-to-date representation of what the "terrible lizards" may well have looked like. Not as striking or informative as other similar works, e.g., An Alphabet of Dinosaurs, reviewed below. Ages 4-up.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3?Dramatic illustrations and a simple, direct narrative introduce a few of the dinosaurs that once roamed the earth. Meat-eating and plant-eating species are represented, both large and small, with a brief description of their physical characteristics. The meaning of scientific names and phonetic pronunciations within the text are helpful, and the work and findings of paleontologists are explained. Some recent theories regarding parenting behavior, hunting, and defense techniques are included. Heyer's illustrations create a feeling of another age. Dinosaurs are shown against somber natural backgrounds, similar to those found in Patricia Lauber's The News About Dinosaurs (Bradbury, 1989). These dark scenes allow a variety of colors and patterns of the dinosaurs' skin to stand out, reflecting the viewpoint that their coloration may have been similar to that of present-day reptiles. Closeups of a few creatures are provided, with an especially fierce Tyrannosaurus. The captions are inconsistent; some dinosaurs are clearly labeled while others are mentioned only in the text. There is no index, but the open format and large-print text is for pleasure reading rather than for reports. Seymour Simon's New Questions & Answers About Dinosaurs (Morrow, 1990), Lauber's book, and many other sources have more comprehensive information for those wanting to delve further into this ever-popular subject.?Diane Nunn, Richard E. Byrd Elementary School, Glen Rock, NJ
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Boyds Mills Press; 1st edition (February 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1878093169
• ISBN-13: 978-1878093165
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 10.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,661,328 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 3-1/2 yr old's favorite, March 11, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Dinosaurs!: Strange and Wonderful (Hardcover)

A perfect mix of illustrations and simple text. We've read it again and again and again. It's much better than the complex encyclopedia type books that have too much info for our 3 yr old.

5.0 out of 5 stars Dinosaurs, April 19, 2009

By 

Rena (Illinois) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dinosaurs! Strange and Wonderful (Picture Puffins) (Paperback)

My grandson loves dinosaurs and we bought him this for Easter. It is a wonderful book. The pictures and explanations are very detailed yet understandable for my young grandson. I would recommend this for any dinosaur lover..