Dinosaur Hunt : Texas-115 Million Years Ago

From School Library Journal
Grade 3-6-The discovery of a huge bed of Early Cretaceous dinosaur tracks in Texas in 1938 led scientists to believe that they had found evidence of an attack by a fast-moving carnivore on a slow, bulky sauropod. Carr has used this frozen moment to flesh out the entire incident, starting with the hatching of the predatory Acrocanthosaurus and ending with her as an adult, satiated with the flesh of her kill of a Pleurocoelus, unaware of the footprints in the mud that will reveal her savagery 114 million years later. While this is a fictional account of an accepted actual event, the author takes no liberties with the possibilities, sticking closely to the "facts" attested to by those stony footprints and data extrapolated from other fossil information. The dramatic, realistic illustrations were painted in traditional oil and watercolor styles, using a computer program as an electronic paintbrush, opening windows into stunning Cretaceous landscapes. Sadly missing from Carr's title, however, are a map showing the location of the Paluxy River trackway, a time line to aid neophyte dinosaur lovers in placing the participants in time, and sufficiently detailed descriptions of the cast of characters. These carps aside, this eye-catching title will gather no dust on your shelves; it will be enjoyed by dinophiles and monster fans alike.Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NYCopyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Book Description

On a muddy riverbank, a hungry dinosaur stalks her prey. From her hiding place in the nearby trees, she spies a giant, four-legged plant eater. At the right moment, she leaps from the trees and lunges at the slower dinosaur, tearing at its flanks with teeth and sharp claws.

It's an average day in southern Texas, 115 million years ago.

This dinosaur attack happened. We know for certain, because these two animals left their footprints in the mud -- and they're still there, hardened into stone for all to see. Dinosaur Hunt presents this dramatic event and brings the two combatants vividly back to life. It is the tale of a young Acrocanthosaurus, a predatory dinosaur similar to T. rex. As she grows she learns to hide, hunt, and survive in the eat-or-be-eaten age of dinosaurs.

ANNOTATION

Describes a prehistoric battle between two dinosaurs, based on fossil footprints found near the Paluxy River in Texas.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

On a muddy riverbank, a hungry dinosaur stalks her prey. From her hiding place in the nearby trees, she spies a giant, four-legged plant eater. At the right moment, she leaps from the trees and lunges at the slower dinosaur, tearing at its flanks with teeth and sharp claws.

It's an average day in southern Texas, 115 million years ago.

This dinosaur attack happened. We know for certain, because these two animals left their footprints in the mud — and they're still there, hardened into stone for all to see. Dinosaur Hunt presents this dramatic event and brings the two combatants vividly back to life. It is the tale of a young Acrocanthosaurus, a predatory dinosaur similar to T. rex. As she grows she learns to hide, hunt, and survive in the eat-or-be-eaten age of dinosaurs.

The astounding, lifelike art of Karen Carr transports us to this strange and threatening world and re-creates one of the most gripping tales a few footprints ever told.

FROM THE CRITICS

School Library Journal

Gr 3-6-The discovery of a huge bed of Early Cretaceous dinosaur tracks in Texas in 1938 led scientists to believe that they had found evidence of an attack by a fast-moving carnivore on a slow, bulky sauropod. Carr has used this frozen moment to flesh out the entire incident, starting with the hatching of the predatory Acrocanthosaurus and ending with her as an adult, satiated with the flesh of her kill of a Pleurocoelus, unaware of the footprints in the mud that will reveal her savagery 114 million years later. While this is a fictional account of an accepted actual event, the author takes no liberties with the possibilities, sticking closely to the "facts" attested to by those stony footprints and data extrapolated from other fossil information. The dramatic, realistic illustrations were painted in traditional oil and watercolor styles, using a computer program as an electronic paintbrush, opening windows into stunning Cretaceous landscapes. Sadly missing from Carr's title, however, are a map showing the location of the Paluxy River trackway, a time line to aid neophyte dinosaur lovers in placing the participants in time, and sufficiently detailed descriptions of the cast of characters. These carps aside, this eye-catching title will gather no dust on your shelves; it will be enjoyed by dinophiles and monster fans alike.-Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews