Dino Treasures by Rhonda Lucas Donald and illustrated by Cathy Morrison

ISBN: 9781628554588

About the book: Just as some people dig and look for pirate treasure, some scientists dig and look for treasures, too. These treasures may not be gold or jewels but fossils. Following in the footsteps of Dino Tracks, this sequel takes young readers into the field with paleontologists as they uncover treasured clues left by dinosaurs. Readers will follow what and how scientists have learned about dinosaurs: what they ate; how they raised their young; how they slept, fought, or even if they ever got sick. True to fashion, the tale is told through a rhythmic, fun read-aloud that can even be sung to the tune of Itsy Bitsy Spider.

Review: The illustrations are striking and interesting. The artist has taken an imaginative tour of prehistoric time and fleshed it out. Perhaps too much liberty for a line of books such as Arbordale which tends to educate as well as entertain. I really like the illustrations but consider them flights of one's imagination.

The author has taken the findings of archaeological discoveries and attempted to translate them for the mind of the young child. Children do seem to be fascinated with dinosaurs and this book will certain feed that imagination.

Each two page spread focuses on a rhyme that beats well to Itsy Bitsy Spider song of the nursery. There is a lot of text in each of these. Example - "Skin Samples":

"Say, can you describe what dino skin was like?

If you said, "it's scaly," you'd be in the right.

But finding dino skin is not an easy task.

Most fossils are of bone, as skin just doesn't last.

Can you now imagine how great it must have been

to find a duckbill fossil complete with dino skin?

Plain as you can see are scales of different size,

which makes this fossil find a rare and special prize." 

At the back of the book there is a section For Creative Minds. The difference between a Biologist and Palentologist is examined. Ways to read clues in body and trace fossils are presented.

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy was provided by the publisher to facilitate this review. Opinions are those of the reviewer. No compensation was received for this review.