Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs
Grade 8 UpAAlthough this is definitely an adult reference book, libraries with young dinosaur aficionados should prick up their ears. Topics are arranged alphabetically, with generous cross-referencing. The articles are written by experts; for instance, John Horner has penned an article that discusses his discoveries about dinosaur parental care. Besides chapters on individual dinosaurs, this book covers some intriguing territory, including topics such as "Diet," "Color," "Problems with the Fossil Record," and "Size and Scaling" (which explains how extinct dinosaurs are weighed). There are also articles about specific digs and sites. Most of the articles cite references. Small black-and-white illustrations and a few color plates expand on the text. What most recommends this densely written volume is that it brings readers straight to the facts, fresh from the scientists' mouths, instead of filtering the information through an intermediary writer.ACathryn A. Camper, Minneapolis Public LibraryCopyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.