New Dinos: The Latest Finds! The Coolest Dinosaur Discoveries! Shelley Tanaka. Illustrated by Alan Barnard. Markham, ON: Scholastic Canada/Madison Press, 2003. 48 pp., pbk., $12.99. ISBN 0-439-96896-8. Subject Headings: Dinosaurs-Juvenile fiction. Paleontology-Juvenile fiction. Grades 2-5 / Ages 7-10. Review by Gail Hamilton. **** /4

excerpt:

T. rex had jaws adapted to bite deep and hard, even crunching through the neck or backbones of its prey. Studies have shown that T. rex had the most powerful bite force of any known animal-3,000 pounds per square inch (200kg/cmý)- enough to crush a pickup truck! A modern crocodile has just above 2,000 pounds (133 kg) of bite force, the highest ever measured in a living animal.

Contrary to popular belief, about every seven weeks, someone discovers the bones of a previously unheard of dinosaur. In New Dinos, Tanaka brings to light some of the latest finds in the world of paleontology. Topics include dinosaurs' hunting methods, feathered dinosaurs, communication, digestion, and dinosaur eggs, to name a few. New information, which is revealed as a result of modern technology such as CT scans, ultraviolet light and sophisticated computer programs, debunks some of the myths surrounding life in prehistoric times. Tanaka also divulges the clues which help scientists to determine, for example, how dinosaurs pinpointed the location of their prey, what dinosaurs really looked like, and how some dinosaurs evolved into birds, as well as fascinating new evidence which might prove that many dinosaurs were warm-blooded rather than cold-blooded. Though the topics are not arranged in any particular sequence - chronological or otherwise - there is continuity to the text which engages and sustains the reader's interest. Two to four pages are devoted to each topic with additional information provided in sidebars.

     The large, bold and simple font, coupled with Tanaka's writing style, makes the text easy to read and comprehend. Photographs, maps and specially commissioned illustrations help readers to imagine both the dinosaurs and the environments in which the dinosaurs lived. Readers will be particularly impressed by a life-size drawing of a megaraptor's claw which takes up almost an entire double-page spread. There is a map indicating the latest dinosaur finds (1990-2002). A list of recommended websites and reading, a glossary, pronunciation guide and an index are also included.

Highly Recommended.

Gail Hamilton is a teacher-librarian at Bird's Hill School in East St. Paul, MB.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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