Quill and Quire

REVIEWS

« Back to
Book Reviews

Monster Fliers: From the Time of the Dinosaurs

by Elizabeth MacLeod; John Bindon; illus.

Books about prehistoric life fill bookstores and libraries, and every year new volumes appear. With that in mind, it’s no mean feat to create a dinosaur-themed book that can stand with the ones already out there – even if it does include the “latest research.” While Monster Fliers may not achieve high marks for originality, Elizabeth MacLeod and John Bindon have created a solidly informative, attractive addition to a dinosaur lover’s collection.

Though many young afficionados will already be familiar with the pterodactyl and the archaeopteryx, Monster Fliers may have a few surprises for them. The book covers 19 different prehistoric flying creatures, all of them bizarre. Naturally, this is just the thing that makes them so fascinating. How did pterosaurs fly with huge, heavy crests on their heads? Why did the eudimorphodon have a paddle-like tail? There is just enough detail to answer these and other questions while maintaining a quick and breezy pace.

MacLeod has already won much deserved praise for books such as Dinosaurs: The Fastest, the Fiercest, the Most Amazing and What Did Dinosaurs Eat?, and her delivery here is reliably engaging and knowledgeable. Each flying reptile gets a snappy title, such as “Killer Crane” and “Bulgy Bill,” and there are interesting tidbits throughout, such as why there were 400 teeth in the tiny ctenochasma’s mouth.

MacLeod invites readers to “notice how…” or “imagine…”, and this provides plenty of opportunity to look a little closer at John Bindon’s dramatic artwork. Many books of this kind succeed or fail depending on the strength of the images. Bindon’s illustrations infuse the pages with colour and action, ensuring there is plenty to look at and admire.

Monster Fliers may tread – or fly over – some well-worn paths, but it will appeal to younger readers just discovering these extraordinary creatures.

 

Reviewer: Cynthia O’Brien

Publisher: Kids Can Press

DETAILS

Price: $16.95

Page Count: 32 pp

Format: Cloth

ISBN: 978-1-55453-199-8

Released: Feb.

Issue Date: 2010-3

Categories:

Age Range: 5-9