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libraryrobin's review
4.0
Waterhouse, a talented painter and sculptor of nature, teams up with noted comparative anatomist Richard Owen to extrapolate what dinosaurs looked like by comparing their bones with animals having similar bones. From there, Waterhouse built models and full-sized replicas, amazing and delighting crowds.
Descriptive, engaging text and illustrations, readers are easily drawn into this historical tale and one man's dedication.
Descriptive, engaging text and illustrations, readers are easily drawn into this historical tale and one man's dedication.
tcbueti's review
4.0
This was really fascinating. It's great for kids to see how our understanding of a subject can evolve with time and each discovery, and to see how someone's passion can add immeasurably to the world's understanding. I loved that there was no sense of "gotcha", when some of his ideas were later proven to be wrong--new discoveries led to new information. You do the best you can with hat you have at the time, and there's always more to learn.
Made us curious about his accomplishments--where are they still visible?
Made us curious about his accomplishments--where are they still visible?
eberico's review
5.0
I read this when it first came out back in my bookselling days. It was as magical as I remembered, especially with a dinosaur-obsessed 3 year old.
calistareads's review
5.0
This is illustrated by Brian Selznick and I didn’t know it existed. It’s a beautiful book of nonfiction about the man who wanted to educate the public on the existence of dinosaurs through visual reproduction back in the 1850s or so. Mr. Waterhouse was an artist of animals. He took the known dinosaur bones they had dug up and imagined what the creatures would look like and then he built them to scale with brick, metal, plaster and paint. Queen Victoria loved them. They were put on display for all to see and they are still at the crystal palace to this day to go and see.
And interesting side point here is that he came to NYC to build some for America. He spent 2 years doing so when a corrupt politician decided he didn’t want them and sent thugs to destroy all the work. How crazy is that? Otherwise, Central park would have our own historic dinosaurs.
I love Brian Selznick and I trust his story tellings abilities with his art. I love the story that they brought forward here. It’s a cool part of our history I didn’t know. This is how the world discovered dinosaurs thanks to this man, really. What a great story.
The niece thought this book was very interesting. She wants to go see the Crystal Palace to see these dinosaurs. The nephew loved this story about monsters and dinosaurs. He thought it would be fun to build something like that. They both gave this book 4 stars and they want more like it.
And interesting side point here is that he came to NYC to build some for America. He spent 2 years doing so when a corrupt politician decided he didn’t want them and sent thugs to destroy all the work. How crazy is that? Otherwise, Central park would have our own historic dinosaurs.
I love Brian Selznick and I trust his story tellings abilities with his art. I love the story that they brought forward here. It’s a cool part of our history I didn’t know. This is how the world discovered dinosaurs thanks to this man, really. What a great story.
The niece thought this book was very interesting. She wants to go see the Crystal Palace to see these dinosaurs. The nephew loved this story about monsters and dinosaurs. He thought it would be fun to build something like that. They both gave this book 4 stars and they want more like it.
blchandler9000's review
Nicely done. I especially enjoyed Selznick's visual homages to art history, Victorian England, and Hawkins's work. Nice layouts, too.
ahpotts's review
4.0
My children (ages 8 & 10) give this 4.5 stars. I agree. The story is fascinating and one we’ve never heard. The illustrations are intriguing, and the final page helps create the sense of wonder that people must have felt the first time they saw Hawkins’ recreations.
heypretty52's review against another edition
4.0
As always, Selznick's illustrations are top notch. The story of Mr. Hawkins makes for a perfect vehicle for them.
messedupmarionette's review
4.0
The illustrations in this book are gorgeous and the story of Waterhouse Hawkins is interesting.
I just wish there was more than one crowded page of comparisons between Hawkins' drawings and what modern scientists think dinosaurs look like.
I just wish there was more than one crowded page of comparisons between Hawkins' drawings and what modern scientists think dinosaurs look like.