Giant Ground Sloth

Janet Riehecky
Illustrated by Jon Hughes

The Giant Ground Sloth, (JYE-uhnt SLAWTH) were huge hairy mammals that had thick brown hair that covered its bodies. They lived in caves in North and South America 1.9 million years ago during the prehistoric times. The Giant Ground Sloth’s appearance was that of a bear – and had a bear-like snout. They were as large as elephants and weighted about 6,000 pounds, or 2,720 kilograms. Their claws were sharp and when they walked their claws curled. The Giant Ground Sloth walked slowly, perhaps because of the curled claws, and used their strong tails for balance. They stood up to eat plants, using their long tongues to pull down the leaves to eat.

The fossils of the Giant Ground Sloth can be found in museums. No one knows why they died out about 8,000 thousand years ago. At the end of this picture book, is a glossary that includes the following terms from the text: balance, claw, fossil, mammal, museum, prehistoric, and snout. Information on additional resources, a web link, and an index can be found at the end of the book.

The colorful pictures of the Giant Ground Sloth are realistic and yet fascinating. Children should be enthralled by the pictures as they are read to and eventually learn the text. The vocabulary used for the intended grade level is appropriate and engaging. The science of the prehistoric life is detailed enough to encourage further reading, yet simple enough for age appropriate comprehension.

BIBLIO: 2009, Capstone Press, Ages K-1, $21.32
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Picture Book
ISBN: 978-1-4296-0036-1
REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 7/11/09

Giganotosaurus

Janet Riehecky
Illustrated by Jon Hughes

Giganotosaurus, (jig-a-NOTE-uh-SORE-us) is known as a big meat eater and one of the longest that walked on two clawed feet. This dinosaur inhabited the South American region during the prehistoric times, 100 million years ago. The Giganotosaurus was as long as a bus, 47 feet, or 14 meters, and had a thin, pointy tail that it held straight out as it walked. Its two small hands had three fingers with sharp claws on each. It had a good sense of smell, which it used to smell its prey from long distances. This dinosaur was known to attack large plant eaters, and possibly hunted in packs. The teeth of the Giganotosaurus were very sharp and were shaped like arrow tips.

The fossils of this dinosaur can be found in museums. No one knows why they died out millions of years ago. At the end of this picture book, is a glossary that includes the following terms from the text: claw, fossil, museum, pack, prehistoric, and prey. Information on additional resources, a web link, and an index can be found at the end of the book.

The colorful pictures of the Giganotosaurus are realistic and yet fascinating. Children should be enthralled by the pictures as they are read to and eventually learn the text. The vocabulary used for the intended grade level is appropriate and engaging. The science of the prehistoric life is detailed enough to encourage further reading, yet simple enough for age appropriate comprehension.

BIBLIO: 2009, Capstone Press, Ages K-1, $21.32
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Picture Book
ISBN: 978-1-4296-0038-5
REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 7/11/09

Megalosaurus

Janet Riehecky
Illustrated by Jon Hughes

Megalosaurus, (MEG-ah-low-SORE-us) has the honor of being the first dinosaur to be given a name – Megalosaurus means “Great Lizard”. This Great Lizard roamed Europe during the prehistoric times about 170 million years ago. The Megalosaurus was smaller than the Giganotogaurus, about the size of a small bus, ten feet tall, or three meters, and 30 feet long, or nine meters. It had two legs and walked on its toes, which pointed out. This dinosaur had a large tail that stuck out straight when it was walking. Its hands had three fingers and each finger had a hooked claw on it. The Megalosaurus may have hunted in packs and chased large plant eaters, jumping on its prey. While catching its prey, it may have taken large bites with its sharp teeth.

The fossils of the Megalosaurus can be found in museums. No one knows why they died out about 155 millions of years ago. At the end of this picture book, is a glossary that includes the following terms from the text: claw, fossil, hunt, museum, pack, prehistoric, and prey. Information on additional resources, a web link, and an index can be found at the end of the book.

The colorful pictures of the Megalosaurus are realistic and yet fascinating. Children should be enthralled by the pictures as they are read to and eventually learn the text. The vocabulary used for the intended grade level is appropriate and engaging. The science of the prehistoric life is detailed enough to encourage further reading, yet simple enough for age appropriate comprehension.

BIBLIO: 2009, Capstone Press, Ages K-1, $21.32
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Picture Book
ISBN: 978-1-4296-0039-2
REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 7/11/09