Dinosaur questions /

Ages 4^-7. Most's enthusiasm for dinosaurs seems boundless. In his latest book on the subject, he asks and responds in a pleasantly informal manner to a variety of common questions about the great beasts, with frequent challenges to incite young readers to discuss what they've learned. Children will readily recognize Most's stylized illustrations, which add a generous dollop of levity to the proceedings. Twenty-some questions, clearly put and answered honestly and without pretension. --Stephanie Zvirin

K-Gr 3-Most addresses the appearance and behavior of dinosaurs in a lighthearted question-and-answer format. Recent discoveries and theories are touched on, such as skin coloration and the positioning and purpose of Stegosauras plates. Some responses are simple and direct, while others explain that much information remains unknown. The presentation is visually appealing, with each question located above a large full-color illustration and brief text below. Some of the playful pictures clearly support the text, while others are fanciful, e.g., one of an Apatosaurus in a diaper being carried across the sky. The lively, colorful art is eye-catching, and fans of the author's earlier books will appreciate his familiar, humorous treatment of a scientific topic. Those seeking a more serious approach might prefer Seymour Simon's New Questions and Answers about Dinosaurs (Morrow, 1990) or Gail Gibbons's Dinosaurs (Holiday, 1987).æDiane Nunn, Richard E. Byrd Elementary School, Glen Rock, NJ (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Colorful cartoonlike illustrations suit the playful tone of the text. The brief narrative emphasizes that much of what we 'know' about dinosaurs is actually well-informed guesswork. Personal opinions enliven the book, and rhetorical questions encourage readers' speculations. Along the way, many interesting questions are asked and sensibly answered. From HORN BOOK 1995, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.