Saturday, September 10, 2011

DISCOVERY CHANNEL’S DINOSAURS AND PREHISTORIC PREDATORS



By Chris Wilson
Editor-in-Geek


REVIEW
If you’ve ever hung out with young boys very long, you’ve discovered that dinosaurs are a source of unending fascination for so many of them. The ferocity, the blood-drenched teeth, and the constant death battles (for food, territory and mates) make little boys go nuts. How could these prehistoric creatures not stimulate inquisitive minds?

DINOSAURS AND PREHISTORIC PREDATORS is an exciting journey back 65 to 200 million years ago (Cretaceous and Jurassic periods). Not only is there a wealth of interesting scientific information, but also the artwork is stunningly realistic. Just like Silver Dragon’s SHARK comic for Discovery Channel, this comic reads like a Discovery Channel show, thanks to the illustrations and panel layouts.

The information is broken down by dinosaur (Allosaurus, Ankylosaurus, Apatosaurus, Pteranodon, Sarcosuchus, Spinosaurus, Stegosaurus, Tyrannosaurus Rex, Triceratops and Velociraptor), so the book does not need to be read in order. Chapters also make it easy for struggling readers to find a convenient stopping place, catch their breath, and synthesize what they’ve learned.

This is the T-Rex intro page.

I cannot imagine an elementary or intermediate classroom or school library being complete without this comic.


AGE RECOMMENDATION
Chris’ Rating: Ages 7 and older
Publisher’s Rating: Ages 9-12

The only reason this would be limited to ages 9  and older (publisher's rating) is because of the scientific language. Kids younger than 8 may really struggle to understand the science of the comic. However, I certainly argue that kids, regardless of age, should have access to the comic if they want it. When students have a desire to read and understand, then they will learn to read and understand. Don’t limit the book to any age. Some kids may only read the pictures. Others may find a reading buddy to help them. Teachers may read aloud. Parents may read with kids. Get this comic in their hands and kids will have the time of their lives.


BE AWARE
Dinosaurs kill to survive. That means blood.


IN THE CLASSROOM
DINOSAURS AND PREHISTORIC PREDATORS is from Discovery Channel. So expect science and information about evolution. The writers have given a lot of information about adaptations in species, theories, hypotheses, and unsettled debates. Broken down into specific dinosaur chapters, the comic is full of information that teachers could use for science and communication arts. Writing prompts, vocabulary, big ideas and so much inference is included that a teacher could have a blast designing lessons specific to his or her class’s needs. DINOSAURS just screams for integrated units (science and com arts combined). Please keep in mind, there is one informational and three minor grammar mistakes. Engaged students will find them and I suggest bonus points to those kids. It will get others to read more closely and make it fun. The publisher is aware and corrections will be made to second printings.


OTHER INFORMATION
Author: Joe Brusha, Neo Edmund, Robert Greenberger, Paul Kupperberg, Aaron Rosenberg & Jim Spivey
Illustrator: Caio Cacau, Dsagar Fornies, Alejandro Germanico, Christopher Gugliotti, Gordon Purcell, Robin Riggs, Rae Rochelle, Anthony Spay & Alessandro Ventura
Colors: Caio Cacau, Max Flan, Marcio Freire, Marcelo Macedo & Alex Siqueira
Lettering: Jim Campbell
Genre: Science

Format: Paperback
Pages: 120
Color: Full color
ISBN-13: 978-0-9827507-4-2


CHRIS’ RECOMMENDATION:
Highly Recommended
Based on the mistakes, the book only deserves a Recommended, but when I factor in the fact that boys are fighting over the book in my room and the fact that the mistakes are small and will be fixed in second printings, I decided to give it a Highly Recommended.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hello Chris!
I was one of the writers on the dino book. I appreciate the great review. It makes me smile to hear that the kids are enjoying it as much as I enjoyed working on it! This sort of positive feedback will pave the way for the creation of additional books of this nature. Keep an eye out for our Animal Plant book titled The World's Most Dangerous Animals! Coming very soon!

Thanks again!

Neo Edmund

Anonymous said...

Hello Chris!
I was one of the writers on the dino book. I appreciate the great review. It makes me smile to hear that the kids are enjoying it as much as I enjoyed working on it! This sort of positive feedback will pave the way for the creation of additional books of this nature. Keep an eye out for our Animal Plant book titled The World's Most Dangerous Animals! Coming very soon!

Thanks again!

Neo Edmund

admin said...

Awesome, Neo. I can't wait to get my hands on the World's Most Dangerous Animals. Same publisher?