Armored Disnosaurs

Gr 2–4—These books group dinosaurs by unifying characteristics. After a brief introduction, including the major time divisions of the Mesozoic Era, a noteworthy member of the group is introduced along with a cross-section diagram showing the bone structure, followed by several other dinosaur species. A fact box with size and age range accompanies each animal, while the text provides physical and behavioral information. Dinosaur names are broken down into syllables, with a rudimentary pronunciation guide. Details reflecting the new thinking on dinosaurs' appearance are evident from the illustrations, and the occasional background is done in low-contrast washes. In spite of an assurance that "There weren't any people on Earth when dinosaurs were alive," the child illustrated on every spread as a size reference may prove confusing for casual browsers. With so many dinosaur series available, new ones have to stand out; this set doesn't.