Dinosaur Mummies: Beyond Bare-Bone Fossils

Dinosaur Mummies: Beyond Bare-Bone Fossils – Kelly Milner Halls, illustrated by Rick Spears
Darby Creek Publishing
ISBN: 1-58196-000-X

My rating: 4 out of 5

This highly informative book tells about fossilized dinosaurs and important dinosaur fossil discoveries. This is definitely not a real-aloud book – there is simply too much content. Kids should certainly be encouraged to read this on their own, especially if they enjoy dinosaurs. The author clearly shows a passion for dinosaurs and she conveys that through her book. Halls is a qualified author for a book like this because she has spent time actually working at dig-sites along with dinosaur archeologists. She has written about dinosaurs quite a bit in publications spanning from the “Chicago Tribune” to “Highlights for Children.”

There are a wide variety of pictures in this book ranging from diagrams, to artistic depictions, to actual photographs of fossils and people. This book is more than just a lot of text, which is what you really need in a book for kids.

I would highly recommend “Dinosaur Mummies” when using doing a unit on dinosaurs. It can serve as an additional resource that I think kids will enjoy looking at.

Kingdom of the Sun: A Book of the Planets

Kingdom of the Sun: A Book of the Planets – Jacqueline Mitton & Christina Balit
National Geographic Society
ISBN: 0-7922-7220-X

My rating: 4 out of 5

Each body in the solar system was named after a Roman or Greek god or goddess. This book shows readers why certain names were given to certain planets. The stories are told as if the planet was telling them and explaining their connection with the mythological beings of the past. I myself learned something after reading this book – the sun was named Helios and the moon was named Selene by the Greeks.

I love the illustrations in this book. The first thing that jumped out at me was that the gold color that is used is actually a metallic/foil-like gold that reflects light. Each planet is richly illustrated by a picture of the corresponding Greek/Roman god/goddess in a modernized Greco-Roman style.

“Kingdom of the Sun” is a great book with stunning visuals that I think kids will really enjoy.

Nature’s Paintbrush: The Patterns and Colors Around You

Nature’s Paintbrush: The Patterns and Colors Around You – Susan Stockdale (also illustrated)
Simon & Schuster
ISBN: 0-689-81081-4

My rating: 4 out of 5

This book tells students of different colors and patterns found in nature. The main thing she shows reader is how different animals can blend-in with their surroundings in order to protect themselves. She uses simple, colorful illustrations that really make the images jump out at you. I enjoyed this book and think that children will like it too.

“Nature’s Paintbrush” would be a great book to use in a science unit discussing animals and their environment.