I Want to Know About Dinosaurs

Gr 2–4—After a general introduction and world map, each book devotes spreads to a dozen animals, including information about their diet, habitat, and other miscellaneous facts. Size-comparison diagrams (one juxtaposes the length of a blue whale and school bus) are helpful, but some can be confusing, e.g., in Reptiles the length of a python is compared to the height of a child. Minor editing problems might be overlooked, but Bugs and Spiders has serious defects. Unclear use of the term "bug" leads to the erroneous statement that "most bugs are insects with eight legs." The volume includes sections on snails and scorpions, adding to the confusion. Although some illustrations in Dinosaurs look almost plastic, clear typeface and close-up photos in the other volumes create attractive layouts. However, visual appeal cannot compensate for the series' weaknesses.