Dinosaur Atlas: When They Roamed, How They Lived, and Where We Find Their Fossils

Gr 2-6–The always fascinating and kid-friendly topic is treated to a large-size format befitting its subject. After an introductory section defining dinosaurs and the prehistoric world that led to their existence, the book is then divided into different historical periods—Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous. The next section spotlights some of the major fossil finds by continent. The final section details the post-dinosaur period, positing different theories about why the “terrible lizards” became extinct and exploring the present-day animals descended from the great creatures. Each dinosaur featured (145 in all) is presented with a pronunciation guide, the meaning of its name, the period in which it lived, and cool facts about it. For example, the aptly named Giraffatitan had a neck approximately 75 feet long, and the Rajasaurus was the first dinosaur found in India. The clear and accessible text is printed in legible and fun font. Full-color artwork, arresting illustrations, informative time lines, and custom-made maps for kids by leading experts in cartography set this volume apart. The images seem lifelike, as if the dinosaurs might leap off the pages. Insets defining major terms and providing context are peppered throughout. Back matter includes a dino dictionary, glossary, further resources, and an index.