A history of dinosaurs in 50 fossils

In this colorful work, the author highlights 50 important fossil discoveries pertaining to dinosaurs. Shown in full-color pictures, the fossils range from fully recreated specimens to individuals preserved in sediment to anatomical structures from the fossil record. Particularly fascinating are the fossils of early bird species, like Confuciusornis, that show the outline of feathers. Some milestones include the first dinosaur, early hunters, specialized herbivores, species with plates and spines (think Stegosaurus), the first giant dinosaurs, aquatic species, and more. A large, color image is included on each page, but text dominates. No sidebars, tables, or charts break up the narrative, and the small font makes quick reading difficult. Thankfully, the author is a skilled storyteller, and the narrative is engaging. Barrett weaves historical facts and physical descriptions to help explain species' evolutionary adaptations and specializations that allowed them to thrive in particular environments and geologic periods. The table of contents, index, and further-reading list were not included in the review copy. Nonetheless, this book is recommended for all public and school libraries.

Gr 3--6--An engaging and educational journey through the prehistoric world, presented through the lens of 50 carefully chosen fossils. Barrett, a renowned paleontologist, uses these specimens to illustrate the evolution, diversity, and paleobiology of dinosaurs, offering readers a chronological and thematic exploration of these ancient creatures. The book's structure guides readers from the earliest dinosaur fossils to the latest discoveries, making it accessible to enthusiasts and scholars. Each fossil is detailed with high-quality illustrations and photographs, accompanied by insightful commentary that places each specimen in its historical context. Barrett's writing is clear and informative, balancing scientific accuracy with an engaging narrative that brings the world of dinosaurs to life. What sets this book apart is its ability to distill complex paleontological concepts into digestible and captivating entries. The selection of fossils showcases the breadth of dinosaur evolution, highlighting key transitional forms and major discoveries. VERDICT This provides a compelling and visually stunning overview of the prehistoric past.--Jenna LaBollita

Good pictures and a basic education. Barrett, a merit researcher at the Natural History Museum, London, delivers an informative account of dinosaur evolution, emphasizing the Mesozoic era (from about 250 million to 66 million years ago), when dinosaurs dominated land and air with a nod toward an earlier era when their ancestor, a small lizardlike creature scuttled through the underbrush about 320 million years ago. As many readers know, a major extinction event occurred when a small asteroid struck the Earth, exterminating every traditional dinosaur but not birds, which were suspected to be related since Darwin's time but during the past 50 years have been accepted as genuine dinosaurs. Dinosaurs are reptiles that evolved one startling innovation: walking on two legs. All other reptile groups use four or none at all, and humans are among the incredibly few other mammals who became bipedal. The first dinosaurs were lightly built small bipeds with slender necks and long tails that expanded into varieties that dominated life on land for over 150 million years. Many grew to sizes that required more support, so they re-evolved four walking legs. Perhaps the most pleasure readers will experience in these books is poring over dozens of colorful artistic recreations of Mesozoic life, with crowds of dinosaurs going about their business in an authentic, if overcrowded, landscape. Because Barrett's emphasis is on fossils, there are plenty of those too. The complete specimens (rare in nature) are spectacular, but others appear to be clumps of bone, teeth, and rock, which reveal the reality of the puzzles that paleontologists encounter but deliver little information to the average reader. Steve Brusatte'sThe Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs may be the best popular introduction, but this is an intelligent overview. Vivid insights for the dinosaur buff. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.