567.9

567.9

567.9

567.9

“Dinosaur” is up to the high standards of other DK books, to no great surprise, given that it was co-written by paleontologist David Norman. The book is highly informative and beautifully illustrated with vast numbers of color diagrams and photographs. It is suitable for both adolescents and adults, and any interested in learning more about the great beasts of the Mesozoic. Among the topics considered are the following: history of dinosaur paleontology, the Mesozoic landscape, size ranges, “long necked beasts”, dinosaur diets, specializations for defense, dinosaur skin, locomotion, dinosaur footprints, eggs and nests, dinosaur growth, the origin of birds, and extinction. Other sections include “how to find a dinosaur” and “how to build a dinosaur”, and “myths and legends.” The diagrams are beautifully done and interspersed with short paragraphs of informative text. One potential drawback is that this particular edition was published in 1989. As a result, information on dinosaur skin and feathers and the origins of birds is decades out of date. Readers can readily find more recent editions at inexpensive prices. ( )