The big, sturdy, good-looking books in Barron's brand-new " Diaries Series " combine illustrated adventure tales for young readers with a selection of features that add both drama and a sense of reader participation to each story. Josh and Maisie, the children in this story, embark on an expedition that takes them many millennia back in time to the Cretaceous Period. They hope to find a rare feathered dinosaur. The story-related items include--

An enclosed dramatic four-color poster that makes a great wall decoration. It unfolds to approximately 16 3/4" x 21 1/2" A letter attached to one of the book's illustrations, printed on special art paper. It unfolds to reveal a message that sends the story's young heroes off on their adventure Flaps attached to many of the illustrations that display a variety of story-related devices, including small booklets, interior details in each picture, and many other graphic surprises Charts displaying facts and figures that relate to events described in the story

The heroes of these adventures are children who are exploring the bookshelves in their grandfather's study. As they remove a special book, they discover how to enter a secret passageway that is hidden behind the shelves. The moment they enter this mysterious realm, they start off on an adventure that transports them to different and distant times and places. The stories are richly illustrated on every page, and the adventures will enliven the imaginations of the boys and girls who open these exciting books. A ribbon bookmark is attached to the spine of each handsome volume, and a magnetic clasp binds the covers when each book is closed.