'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Thursday 19 March 2015

Review: Dinosaurs: My Beastly Activity Book

Big Bang Theory, the evolution of Earth, the prehistoric timeline — all this and much more are tackled in the most gloriously entertaining way in this activity book.

Victor Escandell is the master of making complex concepts totally accessible to kids (and their scientifically challenged parents). This book was going to be a gift for a dinosaur-mad friend of my daughter's. But then I got my hands on it and now it's not going anywhere!

Did you know that 390 million years ago, there was an animal called the Jaekelopterus that looked like a 2-metre prawn? Or that the Chalicotherium, who roamed around 37 million years ago, had a head like a horse, claws like a bear and walked like a gorilla? And I confess that from now on the Elasmotherium will always hold a special place in my heart as it was the first unicorn (well, kinda!).

Packed full of pictures to colour, games to play, things to draw, models to cut out and fold, as well as fun facts, and a 'Wikisaurus' to help dinosaur-fans find out more about their favourite creatures, this is an activity book that will provide hours and hours of entertainment and education. (Younger kids will need the help of an adult.) So much fun!

Title: Dinosaurs: My Beastly Activity Book
Author/Illustrator: Victor Escandell
Publisher: Thames & Hudson, $22.00 RRP
Publication Date: March 2015
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780500650462
For ages: 6+
Type: Activity Book