No human being has ever seen a triceratops or velociraptor or even the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex. They left behind only their impressive bones. So how can scientists know what color dinosaurs were? Or if their flesh was scaly or feathered? Could that fierce T.rex have been born with spots?
In a first for young readers, the Sibert medalist Catherine Thimmesh introduces the incredible talents of the paleoartist, whose work reanimates gone-but-never-forgotten dinosaurs in giant full-color paintings that are as strikingly beautiful as they aim to be scientifically accurate, down to the smallest detail. Follow a paleoartist through the scientific process of ascertaining the appearance of various dinosaurs from millions of years ago to learn how science, art, and imagination combine to bring us face-to-face with the past.
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful.
A Spectacular Dinosaur Find!!!!
By Hez
Travel through time to Discover dinosaurs in detail - and uncover new, fascinating facts about these unusual creatures!!! Catherine Thimmesh has a gift for appealing to all audiences! She will grab the attention of young children with her compelling dinosaur composition and illustrations; immerse the nonfiction enthusiast with the cool scientific details and inform all ages about careers in science and paleontology. Have you heard of a paleoartist? " Scaly, Spotted, Feathered, Frilled: How do we really know what dinosaurs looked like?" follows in the tradition of Catherine's previous award winning non fiction books for children!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful.Highly recommend for dino lovers of all ages
By CP
A fascinating examination of how scientists and more specifically paleoartists decide how to depict dinosaurs in pictures, paintings, and scientific models. Discusses how this process has changed over the years as our understanding of dinosaurs has become more complete. Compares past images of dinosaurs with those used today. Includes details about how scientists and artists use bones and fossilized skin imprints to "build" a dinosaur.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful.An incredible journey of discovery…. how current thinking on dinosaurs evolved!
By MW
This book is for anyone (children and adults) captivated by the journey of discovery! Thimmesh skillfully describes and depicts the evolution of thought on dinosaurs. Using scientific evidence, our knowledge of dinosaurs has been radically enriched over the last decade; not just in terms of their physical appearance, but on many levels: habitat, interaction, movement, etc. Scaly, Spotted, Feathered, Frilled clearly shows that science is not a static set of facts… that discoveries enhance our understanding… this perspective and frame of reference is exactly what I want to cultivate in young minds!Through this book, I have also gained an appreciation for the genius of paleoartists… isn't it amazing to be able to take mere fossils and bones and be able to make them come alive into fantastic, ferocious creatures?
