Synopses & Reviews
Review
What kind of parent was Tyrannosaurus rex? Were the theropods more like birds or crocodiles? Was Oviraptor an egg thief or a protective parent? Older dinosaur readers will delight in this up-to-date exploration of scientists' changing ideas about dinosaurs and how they raised their young. The author recreates scenes of dinosaur families—Oviraptor, Maiasaura, Troodom, and Tyrannosaurus rex —and the lavish illustrations help to make it clear. Zoehfeld then carefully documents the discoveries and evidence of palentologists that supports the changing theories about how dinosaurs lived and raised their families. Her lively presentation challenges the reader and presents science as an exciting, unfolding mystery with many clues still unsolved. There are full-color photographs of working paleontologists and stunning photographs of dinosaur eggs, bones, and embryos. Coverage is from the Gobi Desert expedition of 1923, which first discovered dinosaur eggs, to findings in Patagonia in 1998 of tiny embryonic titanosaurs. And the author notes: "As for tyrannosaurs, stegosaurs, and the hundreds of other types of dinosaurs, the clues that will shed light on their secret lives are still out there in the rocks, waiting to be found." Fascinating.
Review
'Zoehfeld clearly and carefully guides readers through the complex historical trail of evidence collection and theory development that make up what we currently believe we know about dinosaur family life.'
Review
'Children will use this substantive, well-organized book for reports, but the attractive design and compelling text will also encourage pleasure reading for dinosaur fans.'
Review
'High-quality color photographs of fossils of eggs abd embryos and of paleontologists at works as well as line drawings and full-color paintings add to this inviting, thought-provoking book.'
Review
'\"lively presentation challenges the reader and presents science as an exciting, unfolding mystery with many clues still unsolved...Fascinating.\"'
Review
"lively presentation challenges the reader and presents science as an exciting, unfolding mystery with many clues still unsolved...Fascinating." Kirkus Reviews
Zoehfeld clearly and carefully guides readers through the complex historical trail of evidence collection and theory development that make up what we currently believe we know about dinosaur family life.
Horn Book
Children will use this substantive, well-organized book for reports, but the attractive design and compelling text will also encourage pleasure reading for dinosaur fans. Booklist, ALA
High-quality color photographs of fossils of eggs abd embryos and of paleontologists at works as well as line drawings and full-color paintings add to this inviting, thought-provoking book.
School Library Journal
Synopsis
Is it possible that dinosaurs were good parents? For many years, scientists didnt think so. Then an amazing discovery revealed that Maiasaura covered its nest with vegetation to keep its eggs warm. Another exciting find showed that Oviraptor sat on its nest just as birds do. Based on this and other new evidence, scientists now believe that manyif not mostdinosaurs may have cared for their young. Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld draws from the very latest findings to describe how scientists are continu-ally making new discoveries and drawing new conclusions about what life was like for dinosaurs and their young. The result is an exciting and accessible book, packed with beautiful, informative illustrations and photographs, that brings us closer than ever before to the truth about dinosaur families. Glossary, bibliography, index.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 53) and index.
About the Author
Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld is author of many books on scientific subjects for young people. She lives in Berkeley, California.