We Both Read
About Dinosaurs

Sindy McKay
Illustrator: Robert Walters

10/3/2004

Review by Molly

About Dinosaurs is another in the We Both Read series. Writer McKay has crafted an excellent tool for parents, teachers and children alike. With the advice of dinosaur specialist and paleontologist, Dr Matthew Lamanna and talents of paleo artist, illustrator Robert Walters, McKay’s nicely crafted work is sure to please. McKay offers the reader a peek into lives of many of the hoary beasts we know as dinosaurs. Size, color, food and eating habits, mode of walking, protective strategies, possible coloration are all offered for reader consideration.

Text used may be challenging for the youngest readers however; most children are fascinated by dinosaurs, and have little problem tackling even the ‘hard’ words in a book about the critters. About Dinosaurs offers page after page of dinosaurs. There is factual information concerning them and opportunity for parents or teachers and children to read the work together. The joint reading format causes dinosaurs to be more reachable for even the youngest children even as it allows weaker readers the opportunity to attempt reading the ‘child’ page after Mom or other adult has read the ‘adult’ page.

Reading level suggested is grades 1 to 2; the book should not be restricted to only these two grades. Younger children will also enjoy looking at the pictures and hearing some of the information found on the pages. The 6 and 7 year olds will enjoy reading in the both read mode while older peer mentors will have a fine time reading the ‘adult’ page to the younger kids. Because the book is not a ‘story book,’ About Dinosaurs lends itself to use as a whole, or as a page or two at a time. I particularly like the addition of a photo or two of modern dinosaurs. And, as a teacher I liked the pages detailing ‘other words to know’ and Name Roots.

About Dinosaurs has a place in the home library, the school library and in classroom science units. Children will enjoy reading the book together as they work on a specific science study.

You can find more about this book at .