In Explore Fossils! With 25 Great Projects, readers ages 7 to 10 discover what life was like on Earth millions of years ago when dinosaurs walked the land! Through investigations of plant and animal fossils, readers gain a deeper understanding of the complex relationships between different species and the land.
- Examines reasons for the explosion of life as well as mass extinctions.
- Readers learn why fossils are important and what they can teach us about the earth's geological history.
- Places dinosaurs in the context of the history of the earth.
Reviews
Publishers Weekly
“The Browns intersperse indoor and outdoor activities with information about fossils, dinosaur, and paleontology in this entry in the Explore Your World! series. Relevant vocabulary terms appear and are defined throughout, and Stone's cartoons feature a recurring pair of unnamed animal paleontologists (one is a pterosaur), as well as help illustrate the various experiments. Clear, straightforward writing helps introduce sometimes complex topics like radiometric dating, as well as how human understanding of dinosaurs has changed through research and discovery.”
Booklist Online Exclusive
“This latest title in the dependable Explore Your World! series takes on not just fossils but also the related topics of dinosaurs, geology, and ecosystems, as well as the role of scientists in discovering the past. Each chapter presents its information engagingly with plenty of well-inserted vocabulary support, age-appropriate riddles, and a cartoon explorer dinosaur wearing cargo shorts. Chapters conclude with several projects that engage creativity, exercise reason and math knowledge, and help practice observation skills. The topic holds inherent interest to many in the target audience, and they should come away with a sound foundation in scientific fact, usable tips on how to derive evidence, and starting points from which to explore further. Browsers, of course, will have a fine time, but this book is even better suited for STEM programs, including those at camps and in museums.”
Markes Johnson, paleontologist, Professor Emeritus, Williams College
“This book by Cynthia Brown and her daughter go a long way toward providing reading material at the right level for a highly inquisitive youth. Clear definitions of vocabulary words are well placed and progressive in building a sound background. The book does not shy away from concepts that are challenging but critical to the meaning of fossils.”
Charles Marshall, Director, University of California
“This is a fun book with great, thought-provoking projects. It offers a surprisingly sophisticated introduction to paleontology for the young and young at heart.”
Spencer G. Lucas, PhD, New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science Museum of Paleontology
“Explore Fossils! provides young readers with a remarkable introduction to paleontology. It covers many topics not seen in similar books. The concise and up-to-date text, the clear and instructive illustrations, and the end-of-chapter projects make Explore Fossils! the best introduction to paleontology that I have ever seen.”