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A review by jessalynn_librarian
Boy, Were We Wrong about Dinosaurs! by Kathleen V. Kudlinski
4.0
Non-fiction
For K-3rd grade
In picture book format, this shows many of the ways scientists have been wrong about dinosaurs, and suggests things that we might still have gotten wrong.
Rather than focusing on a particular time period or type of dinosaur, this book sets out to explain different ways humans have misinterpreted dinosaur fossils in general. While it contains plenty of fun facts, and the full-page illustrations do a great job of bringing the text to life, the most remarkable aspect of this structure is that it reminds readers that the natural world is constantly open to interpretation. Scientists gradually uncover information about dinosaurs, theories are disproved, and the field is constantly changing as more and more new information is discovered. Information from other fields, like physics and geology, can inform the work of paleontologists, and kids can grow up to be one of those scientists who makes us realize, "boy, were we wrong about dinosaurs!" This focus makes the book ideal for younger children who want to grow up to study dinosaurs. The format, with clear paragraphs of text in a fairly large font, along with copious illustrations, is an added appeal for more confident early readers, and would also make this a good read-aloud for slightly younger children. A brief timeline and list of additional sources of information complete the book.
School Library Journal's review provides a good overview of the content and comments that it would make a good "take-off point for a discussion on the scientific method." Booklist gave it a starred review and captures the appeal of the book by saying, "What could be more heartening to children than the unabashed admission that grown-ups make mistakes?" The review also highlights the way mistakes are depicted in one picture, and then shown corrected in the next.
For K-3rd grade
In picture book format, this shows many of the ways scientists have been wrong about dinosaurs, and suggests things that we might still have gotten wrong.
Rather than focusing on a particular time period or type of dinosaur, this book sets out to explain different ways humans have misinterpreted dinosaur fossils in general. While it contains plenty of fun facts, and the full-page illustrations do a great job of bringing the text to life, the most remarkable aspect of this structure is that it reminds readers that the natural world is constantly open to interpretation. Scientists gradually uncover information about dinosaurs, theories are disproved, and the field is constantly changing as more and more new information is discovered. Information from other fields, like physics and geology, can inform the work of paleontologists, and kids can grow up to be one of those scientists who makes us realize, "boy, were we wrong about dinosaurs!" This focus makes the book ideal for younger children who want to grow up to study dinosaurs. The format, with clear paragraphs of text in a fairly large font, along with copious illustrations, is an added appeal for more confident early readers, and would also make this a good read-aloud for slightly younger children. A brief timeline and list of additional sources of information complete the book.
School Library Journal's review provides a good overview of the content and comments that it would make a good "take-off point for a discussion on the scientific method." Booklist gave it a starred review and captures the appeal of the book by saying, "What could be more heartening to children than the unabashed admission that grown-ups make mistakes?" The review also highlights the way mistakes are depicted in one picture, and then shown corrected in the next.