Dining with Dinosaurs: A Tasty Guide to Mesozoic Munching

Gr 2–5—An informal introduction to the diets of the dinosaurs and creatures of the Mesozoic era. Hosted by cartoon versions of the author and her microraptor pal, the book begins with a brief overview of the different types of "vores" (carnivores, herbivores, etc.) before launching into a more in-depth investigation of each one. A colorful scene of Mesozoic life is peppered with tidbits of text that provide material and clever asides. Some spreads include "Ask a Scientist" panels, where paleontologists and other experts shed light on the methods they use to study prehistoric life. The final spread depicts a modern wildlife scene and draws some parallels between Mesozoic and contemporary animal diets. Back matter offers very helpful explanations of the food web and photosynthesis, as well as a pronunciation key for the many tricky prehistoric names and scientific words. Throughout, the text addresses readers directly and is conversational in tone, and the illustrations are humorous.