School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3-This introduction to creatures "just as strange and wonderful as any dinosaur" pairs a straightforward text with action-packed, lifelike illustrations. The book's structure is similar to Brown's other "I Can Read!" titles, with a spread devoted to each of 11 prehistoric animals, including the Elasmosaurus, Hainosaurus, and Archaeopteryx. Helpful pronunciation guides are included. Readers of this book will get a close-up feel for life millions of years ago.-Sarah O'Holla, Village Community School, New York City (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
Eleven brief profiles of prehistoric animals that coexisted with dinosaurs give information about the flying and swimming creatures' anatomies, possible behaviors, and habitats, as well as how to pronounce their satisfyingly long scientific names. The excellent illustrations capture the featured animals in exciting and realistic action as they swoop, dive, rise from the water, and capture prey. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
Kirkus Review
Giving younger dinophiles a chance to wrap their tongues around monikers like Deinosuchus, Pterodaustro and Archaeopteryx, this gallery of monsters that aren't classified as dinosaurs but lived during the same time period presents 11 toothy creatures--generally seen, in the melodramatic illustrations, lunging at prey or gliding sinuously through air or water. Along with a pronunciation guide for each, Brown presents a selection of memorably stated facts--Kronosaurus "was longer than a bus. It had teeth as big as bananas"--to go with the art. Closing with a simple explanation of fossilization, this "Level 2" addition to the dinosaur shelves should soar off with the ease of a leather-winged Pteranodon. (Easy reader/nonfiction. 6-8) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
