Review by Booklist Review
Open this book and enter the world of Dr. Scott, a paleontologist on a mission to learn all he can about dinosaurs. He takes the reader through a brief explanation of the necessary tools needed to dig for fossilized dinosaur bones, how to identify a fossil (you can use your tongue!), and how to transport the fossil back to the lab. Each full spread has a question (such as, Where are fossils found? or What did dinosaurs eat?) that is answered in a jovial tone for the younger set, along with color photographs or illustrations that include additional facts in inset boxes. A basic glossary finishes out the book, which would have additionally benefited from a further reading list. A closing section detailing how readers might become paleontologists is fueled by activities rather than the specific education required to perform the job. This basic introduction to paleontology is a good start for the child who loves dinosaur picture books and is ready for the science behind these majestic (and sometimes minuscule) creatures from the past.--Ginman, Karen Copyright 2017 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Horn Book Review
Sampson's informative book introduces readers to the work of paleontologists, detailing how they locate, excavate, prepare, and store fossils. He then explains how research questions influence the way those fossils are studied in labs. Brightly colored pages include photographs of fossils and scientists at work, plus illustrations envisioning what dinosaurs looked like. He closes by offering tips on how to become a paleontologist. Glos. (c) Copyright 2018. 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.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
The resident expert of PBS Kids' Dinosaur Train explains what fossil hunters do and study.Sampson's animated descriptions of where fossils are found, how paleontologists dig them up and transport them to museums for reconstruction and research, and what can be learned about dino diets and prehistoric habitats from teeth or other features offer a simplified but enticing view of the work and some of its rewards. Though the author leaves out any direct mention of the academic training that professional paleontologists must undergo, he mentions several techniques and activities that won't be beyond even younger amateursand also touts the general value of getting outdoors and "playing in nature." Children with a modicum of familiarity with the subject will find the exclamation mark-strewn text patronizing, and they will yawn at the hyped revelation at the end that turns out to be the less-than-fresh news that birds are dino descendants. The enthusiastic text is accompanied by photos of scientists (all apparently white, nearly all male) at work in field and lab, with occasional portraits of fleshed-out dinosaurs in prehistoric settings to crank up the drama. A limited but lively once-over for young dinophiles. (glossary) (Informational picture book. 7-9) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
