An introduction to dino diversity through visual comparisons and infographics.Small of trim size but rich in facts and insights, this set of images and charts mixes Jenkins' typically realistic paper-collage animal portraits with variously colored silhouettes of modern or prehistoric figures. These are all arranged in ways that vividly clarify relative sizes, for instance, allowing viewers to understand at a glance (with a bar chart composed of stacks of bones) the very different quantities of fossil finds on each continent or graphically represent such big numbers as the devastating effects of (select) mass extinctions and the tiny time humans have existed on Earth compared to the reign of the dinosaurs. One- or two-sentence captions and side notes comment on the visual presentations, the index is annotated with additional facts, and the backmatter includes both a reasonably current reading list and a cogent reminder that much of what we know about dinosaurs is speculative. Reinforcing that last point, a schematic image of a Lythronax (a T. Rex relative) specimen in which the very few bones that are actual fossils and not reconstructions stand out in a vivid red will give museum visitors who think that the full skeletons they see on display are all original a whole new perspective. Companion title Earth: By the Numbers publishes simultaneously.A spectacular series kickoff featuring imaginative graphics and visual design that will provide even confirmed young dinophiles with fresh food for thought. (maps, glossary) (Nonfiction. 6-9)

In this infographic reader in the By the Numbers series (2 titles), Caldecott Honor Book author-illustrator Jenkins has created a visually satisfying, fact-packed, and scientifically up-to-date survey of a timeless topic. In a field guide sized format, 15 spreads each hit on a different dinosaur-related topic, among them, skulls, claws, and specific species, such as the T. rex. Each creature or object is centrally depicted in Jenkins' signature paper-collage artwork and surrounded by silhouettes and graphs that, packed with statistical information, provide a human-sized sense of scale. An explanation of the asteroid-induced mass extinction and a graph of surviving dinosaur relatives conclude an engaging overview for fans and neophytes alike. Back matter includes an index, glossary, pronunciation guide, and bibliography (helpful for deeper research). An accessible visual presentation that is fascinating and informative.

An introduction to dino diversity through visual comparisons and infographics.Small of trim size but rich in facts and insights, this set of images and charts mixes Jenkins' typically realistic paper-collage animal portraits with variously colored silhouettes of modern or prehistoric figures. These are all arranged in ways that vividly clarify relative sizes, for instance, allowing viewers to understand at a glance (with a bar chart composed of stacks of bones) the very different quantities of fossil finds on each continent or graphically represent such big numbers as the devastating effects of (select) mass extinctions and the tiny time humans have existed on Earth compared to the reign of the dinosaurs. One- or two-sentence captions and side notes comment on the visual presentations, the index is annotated with additional facts, and the backmatter includes both a reasonably current reading list and a cogent reminder that much of what we know about dinosaurs is speculative. Reinforcing that last point, a schematic image of a Lythronax (a T. Rex relative) specimen in which the very few bones that are actual fossils and not reconstructions stand out in a vivid red will give museum visitors who think that the full skeletons they see on display are all original a whole new perspective. Companion title Earth: By the Numbers publishes simultaneously.A spectacular series kickoff featuring imaginative graphics and visual design that will provide even confirmed young dinophiles with fresh food for thought. (maps, glossary) (Nonfiction. 6-9)