Days of the Dinosaur: Step into a Spectacular Prehistoric World

Gr 2–5—Written by a paleontologist, this book is filled with descriptions of more than 100 prehistoric land, sea, and air dwellers. Readers are invited through a second-person narrative to witness a day in the life of the dinosaurs mentioned. In addition to individual portraits of featured creatures, "Field Notes" on diet and physical "weapons" accompany each of the four epochs mentioned. Sections on the various time period also cover several biomes. The inclusion of more obscure species will make this selection an illuminating experience for those students primarily exposed to late Jurassic- and Cretaceous-era animals (e.g., Stegosaurus and Tyrannosaurus). The large format and brilliant colors will attract attention, but the facts are the most appealing aspect. The index is essential, given the sheer number of subjects addressed here. The second-person perspective is awkward at times, and warnings about the danger of prehistory fall flat, but ultimately the value outweighs the drawbacks.