April 1, 2023
Grades K-2 Though dinosaurs receive most of the prehistoric spotlight, plenty of other reptiles thrived alongside them. This entry in the That's Not a Dino! series (4 titles) focuses on the Triassic period, and after an introduction to the era and field of paleontology, the not-dinosaurs get their time to shine. There's Tanystropheus in the distance, its neck longer than the rest of its body and tail combined. A toothy Nothosaurus swims by, more closely related to lizards and snakes. Photorealistic renderings and a splashy format will hold readers' interest, while "Did you know?" asides and pithy word bubbles impart fun facts. A glossary and index round things out. It's an attractive introduction to the teeming Triassic, and even prehistoric pros are sure to meet a new critter or two.
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April 1, 2023
Gr 1-3-This series guides readers through the distinction between dinosaurs and non-dinosaurs. The Pleistocene, Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods are featured in various titles. Each book discusses the time of the dinosaurs and the specific time span of the title, then spotlights four animals such as the Mosasaurus or Dimorphodon. "A Quick Look" shares three facts about the creatures, such as what they ate or what their names mean. Some images are illustrations; others are photographs of paleontologists, fossils, or descendants of ancient creatures. Information is broken into bite-size chunks, making it easy for readers to digest. A cartoon-style narrator offers comments, such as "T. rex probably ate Triceratops." Vocabulary terms in bold are defined in the glossary, while pronunciation help is given parenthetically within the text. VERDICT This series will round out collections on prehistoric animals and offer new topics for dinosaur lovers.
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