Less than 200 years ago, nobody knew that dinosaurs had ever existed. Now, scientists who study fossils know about many kinds of dinosaurs and where they lived. The hunt is on for new information about our favorite prehistoric reptiles!

This informative entry in the Step into Reading series is a well-paced historical survey of paleontology. Readers learn of Mary Ann and Gideon Mantell's pivotal discovery of Iguanadon; the intense rivalries that characterized the 19th-century race for dinosaur discoveries in America's West; the vast amount of dinosaur remains yet to be studied by scientists; and current work of "Dinosaur Jim" Jensen, who discovered the Brachiosaurus, the Supersaurus and the Ultrasaurus. Many fascinating details are included in a chapter covering the how-to's of early dinosaur digs contrasted with today's technologically advanced, yet still labor-intensive world of scientific discovery. The book presents a great mix of lively narrative and satisfying facts, a perfect choice for newly independent readers. Ages 7-10.

Grade 2-4-- This easy reader is a quick introduction to paleontological history, covering general information on how fossils are formed and found, who discovered them, and some of the newer dinosaur theories deduced from these theories. Anecdotes about paleontologists' eccentricities and dinosaurs' quirks keep the text lively, without overwhelming readers with unnecessary details. Information about dinosaurs is up-to-date, and, despite standard textbook illustrations, the book provides a nice alternative to Parish's Dinosaur Time (Harper, 1974) or Milton's Dinosaur Days (Random, 1985).

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　--Cathryn A. Camper, Minneapolis Public Library

Gr. 2-4. This new edition of an older book from the Step into Reading series updates both the text and the illustrations. In addition to using the correct term, Apatosaurus, for brontosaurus, the new version incorporates several discoveries, interpretations, and other changes in the field since the first edition (1988) and acknowledges the death of featured fossil finder "Dinosaur Jim" Jensen. Although the book still lacks an index, it provides a simple and very readable historical account of finding and analyzing dinosaur fossils. A good choice for updating or enhancing science collections.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Carolyn Phelan

Describes the work scientists do to find out more about these huge prehistoric animals.

length: (cm)22.8 　　　 　　　　　 　　　　　 width:(cm)15.3