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aholeistodig's review
5.0
This is exactly the kind of book I would've gone nuts over, about 20 years ago. Heck, I'm pretty nuts about this book today. It isn't a paneled comic-book format, but rather text surrounded and supported by annotated illustrations, diagrams, and cartoons. (As synapsids are explained, a cartoon turtle declares, "I need that like I need a hole in the head!")
The book is a guide to the Carboniferous and Permian periods (the end of the Paleozoic), and Bonner keeps things pretty simple, but doesn't go slipshod on us--she's got a couple appendices (an illustrated Time Line of Life on Earth and a chart "to Help Keep the Vertebrates Straight," showing the evolutionary branching from the first tetrapods), a source bib, index, pronunciation guide, and glossary. She also includes a thorough "Where to Learn More" section, with some discussion about books, museums, and websites.
Any elementary-age kid who's into dinosaurs just may be introduced to a whole new set of obsessions by Bonner's awesome first book.
The book is a guide to the Carboniferous and Permian periods (the end of the Paleozoic), and Bonner keeps things pretty simple, but doesn't go slipshod on us--she's got a couple appendices (an illustrated Time Line of Life on Earth and a chart "to Help Keep the Vertebrates Straight," showing the evolutionary branching from the first tetrapods), a source bib, index, pronunciation guide, and glossary. She also includes a thorough "Where to Learn More" section, with some discussion about books, museums, and websites.
Any elementary-age kid who's into dinosaurs just may be introduced to a whole new set of obsessions by Bonner's awesome first book.
abigailbat's review
4.0
This book explores the plants and animals of the Carboniferous and Permian eras, way before dinosaurs were around. With cartoons and many detailed illustrations, Bonner brings this prehistoric world to life. Her books really make me realize that in the history of the world, humanity is nothing more than a drop in the bucket. Big ideas are simplified and made fun and interesting. Wahoo!
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