School Library Journal Starred Review (Tue Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 2013)

Gr 5-7 This is a stellar look at the methods paleoartists employ to bring dinosaurs to life on paper. With a fascinating mix of text, expert quotes, and outstanding artwork, it showcases an aspect of paleontology that kids may not know much about. A lot of books focus on the action at paleontological digs and the reconstruction of what is found in them, but Thimmesh spotlights the gifted individuals who combine their talent with the latest scientific knowledge to layer muscles and flesh onto skeletal remains, adding another intriguing dimension to the study of these ancient creatures. These artistic sleuths pull together clues from plant and rock studies and other sources to create images as thrilling for the youngest dinosaur enthusiasts as they are informative for the most studied researchers. The highlighted paleoartists' renderings get full-bleed treatment, providing readers with a variety of spectacular interpretations of how dinosaurs appeared when they roamed the planet. Complementing the exceptional illustrations is an engaging, informative text written in a conversational tone. Artist profiles are included. The book is presented in a striking palette of saturated earth tones, completing a terrific package that will draw in browsers and serve report writers while inspiring young artists to consider applying their skills to this enthralling field.— Alyson Low, Fayetteville Public Library, AR

ALA Booklist (Tue Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 2013)

Most books about dinosaurs gloss over the obvious question posed in this book's subtitle. The challenge of reconstructing a dinosaur skeleton from an incomplete set of fossil bones is only the first step in knowing what it looked like. In researching this original volume, Thimmesh interviewed a number of paleoartists, whose job is to illustrate different prehistoric species based on incomplete knowledge of their bones, muscles, and skin textures and colors, as well as their distinctive features, movements, habits, and habitats. Drawings, paintings, and models from different periods illustrate the book, accompanied by informative commentary in both the captions and text. Though the audience may be small, this will fascinate those whose interests include paleontological research and illustration, as well as some readers who were earlier intrigued by Kathleen Kudlinski's picture book Boy, Were We Wrong about Dinosaurs! (2005). Ultimately, Thimmesh raises good questions, finds some intriguing answers, and leaves others for readers to ponder.

Horn Book (Tue Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2014)

Paleoartists use scientific evidence and a dash of artistic license to come up with the best approximations of what dinosaurs looked like. In this excellent book, Thimmesh's explanations of the process are informative and well researched, including quotes from interviews with six prominent paleoartists. Captions for the illustrations are very detailed and just as informative as the main text.

Kirkus Reviews

Thimmesh (Lucy Long Ago, 2009) again explores the border between science and speculation in this thoughtful look at how paleontologists and, in particular, "paleoartists" reconstruct prehistoric creatures from fossil evidence. It's "guesswork," admits one artist. "But it's guesswork based on science." The author explains how surviving evidence--including fossilized bone fragments, plant matter, bits of skin and, recently, feathers, prehistoric "trackways" (preserved pathways of dino footprints) and similar physical features in modern animals--is assembled and interpreted by scientists. She also traces the evolution of dino art, from Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins' fanciful reconstructions of heavy-bodied giant lizards to today's images of quick, deft, graceful creatures. In support, examples of Hawkins' approximations and the once-authoritative dinosaur paintings of Charles R. Knight from the first half of the 20th century contrast sharply with more detailed and dramatic scenes, often of the same dinosaurs, by Greg Paul and other currently active artists the author has interviewed. Sketch pages, alternative color patterns on the same model dino, and facing images of a Deinonychus before and after the discovery of fossilized feathers provide further insight into paleoart's methods, challenges and rewards. Required reading for serious dinophiles. (biographical appendix, source list, glossary, index) (Nonfiction. 11-13)