In this Bookstorm™:
written by Catherine Thimmesh
HMH Books for Young Readers, 2013
No human being has ever seen a triceratops or velociraptor or even the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex. They left behind only their impressive bones. So how can scientists know what color dinosaurs were? Or if their flesh was scaly or feathered? Could that fierce T. rex have been born with spots?
In a first for young readers, Thimmesh introduces the incredible talents of the paleoartist, whose work reanimates gone-but-never-forgotten dinosaurs in giant full-color paintings that are as strikingly beautiful as they aim to be scientifically accurate, down to the smallest detail. Follow a paleoartist through the scientific process of ascertaining the appearance of various dinosaurs from millions of years ago to learn how science, art, and imagination combine to bring us face-to-face with the past.
In each Bookstorm™, we offer a bibliography of books that have close ties to the the featured book, Scaly Spotted Feathered Frilled. You’ll find books for a variety of tastes, interests, and reading abilities.
Dinosaur Digs. There are some very cool dinosaur digs throughout the United States in which you and your children can take part.
Dinosaur Nonfiction. It’s difficult to assign a reader’s age to these books. High interest levels can raise proficiency and the graphics can be read even when the words can’t be. You may need to give these books a try to see if they’re within the skills of your reader. Enjoy Gilded Dinosaur to read about two competing paleontologists who tried to outwit each other. Prehistoric Life from DK Publishing looks at all elements of the earth at the time of the dinosaurs. Dinosaurs: a Concise Natural History manages to be funny and informative.
Drawing. From Audubon to Charles R. Knight on animal anatomy to step-by-step instructions for drawing dinosaurs, there are books here that will inspire artists-in-the-making to learn more about dinosaurs while they draw them as particularly as the paleoartists do.
Fiction. From picture books to novels, from the youngest children to adults, dinosaurs are favorite subjects for writers because they’re much loved by readers. You’ll enjoy books such as Danny and the Dinosaur, Jurassic Park, and Okay for Now.
Fossil Hunters. We recommend books that range from Mary Anning’s discovery of the first complete ichthyosaurus fossil to Bob Barner examining dinosaur bones to determine what they ate to Anita Silvey’s daring plant hunters.
Graphic Novels. Dinosaurs are a favorite topic for cartoonists. Some of their graphic novels, such as Barry Sonnenfeld’s Dinosaurs vs Aliens are epics.
Paleoartists. In addition to the work of the paleoartists featured in Scaly Spotted Feathered Frilled, you’ll read about Charles R. Knight, Waterhouse Hawkins, Julius Csotonyi, and others. These scientist-artists are larger than life!
Paleontology. Ladies and gentlemen! Step right up! You’ll be amazed by the feats and discoveries of the paleontologists in these books. Whether it’s Mr. Bones, Barnum Brown, or The History of Life in 100 Fossils or Jessie Hartland’s How the Dinosaur Got to the Museum or Joyce Sidman’s Ubiquitous: Celebrating Nature’s Survivors, there are books here that will enthrall you.
Techniques for using each book: