Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Dinosaur fans seeking exhaustive information about the behemoths of the Mesozoic need look no farther than Dinosaurs: The Most Complete, Up-to-Date Encyclopedia for Dinosaur Lovers of All Ages by Thomas R. Holtz Jr., illus. by Luis V. Rey. Holtz's scientifically oriented but accessible account expounds on the numerous categories of dinosaurs, their behavior, the history of human paleontological studies and much more, including a "genus list" that catalogues all 800-plus species of Mesozoic dinosaurs named by scientists. Sidebars by 33 paleontologists offer a broad range of expertise and opinion (on topics ranging from "Sauropod Evolution" to "Will Jurassic Park Ever Happen?") and, along with Rey's engrossing illustrations that imagine the creatures in a panoply of hues, add up to an outstanding resource. (Random, $34.99, 432p ages 12-up ISBN 9780-375-82419-7; Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 5 Up-With new discoveries, new theories, new everything in a field once seemingly as set in stone as the fossils themselves, dinosaurian paleontology finds itself in a most unusual state of fluidity. So, when an up-to-date compendium arises from all this new research, it can be a welcome presence. The detailed text can be demanding, but is sometimes even chatty in tone. It covers everything from dinosaur eggs to taxonomy and cladistics to the history of paleontology, glued together with chapters on the dinosaurs themselves. The information is often partnered with sidebars or commentaries by paleontologists working in the field, in museums, and in university labs. The illustrations range from small photos to larger sepia-toned drawings to even larger full-color paintings. Rey has pulled out all the stops with his vision of dino-coloration, but, as no one knows what colors the critters sported, who is to say that Gorgosaurus wasn't the brilliant green of an emerald tree boa? A 48-page "Dinosaur Genus List" is simply slathered with names (many new) and assorted data. Regrettably missing is a bibliography of sources consulted, but the reputations of the sidebar authors, the author, and the illustrator lend credence to this work on "dinosaur science." Less academic than Philip J. Currie and Kevin Padian's well-documented Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs (Academic Press, 1997), more detailed than Paul M. Barrett and J. L. Sanz's National Geographic Dinosaurs (2001), and more informative than David Burnie's The Kingfisher Illustrated Dinosaur Encyclopedia (2001), this eye-catching imagination grabber will be enjoyed (on different levels) by dinophiles of all ages.-Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
(Middle School, High School) If there is anything paleontology enthusiasts wish to know, they can find it in this rich and informative treatment of everything related to dinosaurs: geology and geologic history, fossil hunting and dating, evolution, prehistoric ecology, and, of course, the dinosaurs themselves -- forty-two chapters of exceptionally detailed information about the major classifications. The author is a paleontologist, and it shows in the first-rate treatment and organization of concepts. Most are appropriate for middle and high school-age students; a few (such as cladistics) may be challenging for all but the most dedicated paleontologists-in-training. Regardless, even the higher-level concepts are presented remarkably clearly (though the overly cheery tone and plethora of exclamation points are sometimes distracting). A notable highlight is an entire chapter on paleoartists and the science of dinosaur art, taking readers step-by-step through the rigorous process of creating pictures such as the extraordinary and plentiful color illustrations in the book. An impressive sixty-eight-page table of dinosaur genuses provides a comprehensive reference of dinosaur stats. Text boxes found throughout the book were written by or about practicing paleontologists, emphasizing cutting-edge research areas.From HORN BOOK, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
