Boy, Were We Wrong About Dinosaurs!

by Kathleen V. Kudlinski, S.D. Schindler (Illustrator)

Overview

The ancient Chinese thought they were magical dragons. Scientists thought they could only float on water since they were so big. Boy, were they wrong! Even today, notions about dinosaurs are being revised as new discoveries are made. This lively book offers fascinating insight into how certain theories were formulated, and then how those theories were proved or disproved.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780142411933
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	09/18/2008
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	7.60(w) x 9.80(h) x 0.20(d)
Lexile:	AD750L (what's this?)
Age Range:	6 - 8 Years

About the Author

Kathleen Kudlinksi the award-winning author of more than forty books for children, including  the Boy, Were We Wrong series. She lives in Connecticut and Vermont.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Intelligently designed and imaginatively conceived, the artwork makes the text more understandable and the whole book more beautiful." -Booklist, starred review

Editorial Reviews

"Intelligently designed and imaginatively conceived, the artwork makes the text more understandable and the whole book more beautiful. "

Booklist

A spirited text and humorously detailed line-and-color illustrations discuss the evolving nature of dinosaur research, emphasizing the ways recent discoveries have changed the ways paleontologists understand the always-fascinating creatures. Using the refrain, "Boy, were we wrong . . . !" Kudlinski introduces early thinking about the giant reptiles and then juxtaposes it with our current knowledge: For example, early drawings of dinosaurs show them dragging their tails, but the lack of tail drag marks in thousands of fossil footprints and close examination of tailbones have led scientists to conclude that dinosaurs held their tails out and used them for balance. Schindler's finely-inked illustrations use faux-antique effects to illustrate old thinking, while current theories feature colorful, full-bleed paintings, giving personality to their subjects without undue anthropomorphizing. Throughout, readers are encouraged to question received knowledge (and older library books), always acknowledging that the science keeps changing. An opening that encourages readers to laugh up their sleeves at the "ignorance" of ancient Chinese scholars on the subject of dinosaurs is an unfortunate detour into exoticism in a text that otherwise treats both readers and subject with respect and enthusiasm. (timeline, bibliography) (Picture book/nonfiction. 5-8)

Kirkus Reviews

"Intelligently designed and imaginatively conceived, the artwork makes the text more understandable and the whole book more beautiful." -Booklist, starred review

From the Publisher