November 1, 2014
Gr 2-4-These dinosaur profiles cover key information at a good level for middle elementary readers. Text flows nicely, with simple vocabulary and age-appropriate analogies (for instance, "an egg smaller than a soccer ball"). Readers will get a sense of how scientists use fossils to make educated guesses about dinosaurs, and the difference between fact and speculation is clearly noted. Labels and fact boxes balance the narrative neatly; most expand on the information provided in the main text. Key features are supported by appealing illustrations, which include drawings, photos of models, and diagrams. Though a few spreads are overcrowded, the visuals should have strong appeal. Details of sizes, ranges, and eras are all covered well, though one phonetic pronunciation is inaccurate. Kids will likely ignore the three Common Core questions at the end, but these might be useful to teachers. The dinosaurs featured here are covered in most series, but these are solid additions in an always popular subject area.
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