Ancient Animals: Terror Bird by
There are a lot of large birds that inhabit our world today--the albatross, the condor, the emperor penguin. But none of these compare to the terror bird: a bird of prey that roamed ancient South America over fifteen million years ago. The terror bird could stand as tall as a basket ball hoop, with strong beaks designed to hunt. For sixty million years, the terror bird thrived. Almost every other animal could be considered its prey. How did this prehistoric creature live and hunt? How did it eventually become extinct? Sarah Thompson presents this scientific information with the emerging reader in mind--the text is simple, concise, and clear, yet full of useful and thought-provoking facts and ideas. Andrew Plant's illustrations, labeled throughout, provide readers with an accurate visual of the creatures presented. Lovers of nature and paleontology will find much to enjoy in this introduction to the biggest meat-eating bird that ever lived. Back matter includes facts about other flightless birds--both alive and extinct--as well as additional resources for further discovery.
Bird Fossils by
In 1861, paleontologists unearthed a dinosaur fossil that looked like a bird! Archaeopteryx, as this species is known today, was a link between ancient dinosaurs and modern birds. In this guide, based on fundamental elementary science concepts, readers view amazing bird fossils and learn how they formed. Readers also learn how scientists know birds are descended from dinosaurs by comparing traits from both. Amazing photographs are paired with accessible text to make this book both educational and fun. Sidebars provide additional chances to dazzle young readers.
Creatures of the Cretaceous by
Tyrannosaurus rex had sharp teeth that could bit through bone, and Triceratops must have been an intimidating sight with their large frills and prominent horns. It's no wonder dinos ruled Earth back in the Cretaceous period. But what about creatures flying high in the sky or predators lurking under the waves? Many of these animals were not dinos. Become a paleontologist of the Cretaceous as you explore colorful illustrations and fabulous fossil photos to take a trip back in time and discover who was and was not a dino.
Digging for Bird-Dinosaurs by
The extinction of dinosaurs some sixty-five million years ago is one of the greatest biological catastrophes in the history of our planet. Yet in recent years, paleontologists have turned up increasing evidence that ancestors of one group of dinosaurs still fly among us: birds. Join Cathy Forster, one of the few female paleontologists working today, on an expedition to Madagascar in search of clues to the mystery of bird evolution.
Dinosaurs with Feathers by
In this comprehensive and impeccably researched book, award-winning nonfiction author Caroline Arnold explores a growing body of fossil evidence that reveals that dinosaurs were the ancient ancestors of birds. Many scientists have long believed that dinosaurs and birds were related, because of their numerous shared characteristics. But it is the most recent findings--of dinosaurs with feathers--that have finally cemented the bird-dinosaur connection. Illustrated with detailed watercolors, this book presents new and old evidence of how these ancient creatures are related to modern birds. It will convince all readers that at least one branch of the dinosaur family tree is not extinct but, in fact, alive and well--and flying.
Prehistoric Ancestors of Modern Animals by
What if elephants were as small as dogs? What if frogs were protected by armor? In prehistoric times, they were! In fact, other than a few unique changes, lots of prehistoric beasts looked similar to modern animals that live on Earth. Hedgehogs had long tails and no quills, some birds laid eggs the size of footballs, and dragonflies could eat reptiles and amphibians! If these extinct beasts came to life, they might look familiar--but you wouldn't want to get in their way! Read this book to learn more about the incredible and terrifying prehistoric ancestors of modern animals.
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Prehistoric Life by
With an extensive catalog at its heart, Prehistoric Life profiles hundreds of fascinating species in incredible detail. The story starts in earnest 3.8 billion years ago, with the earliest-known form of life on Earth, a bacteria that still exists today, and journeys through action-packed millennia, charting the appearance of new life forms as well as devastating extinction events. Of course, the ever-popular and endlessly intriguing dinosaurs feature large, but Prehistoric Life gives you the whole picture, and the plants, invertebrates, amphibians, birds, reptiles, and mammals that are the ancestors of today's species also populate its pages, making this book unprecedented in its coverage of prehistory. Specially commissioned artworks use cutting-edge technology to render species in breathtakingly realistic fashion, with astonishing images of prehistoric remains, such as skeletons and fossils, to complete the story. To put all the evidence in context, the concept of geological time is explored, as is the classification of species and how the evidence for their evolution is preserved and can be deciphered.
Prehistoric Life by
"The Eyewitness Visual Dictionaries differ from the Eyewitness books in that the text is longer and the vocabulary more difficult.... The photographs are outstanding.... The brief text compresses many details into a few sentences, The vocabulary is scholarly...and charts combined with the text give a clear overview of the subject s ". -- RQ
When Fish Got Feet, Sharks Got Teeth, and Bugs Began to Swarm by
Take a fun, fact-filled trip back to Earth as it was 430 million years ago. Then, watch as continents drift and oceans take shape. Watch out (!) as fish get toothier, plants stretch skywards and bugs get bigger. Soon fish get feet and four-legged creatures stalk the planet. Here's the story of Earth in conversational text, informative illustrations, and humorous cartoons. Complete with time line, pronunciation guide, glossary and index.