The line that separates entertainment from being branded as ‘children’s’ or ‘family’ can be described as ‘art’; in that, you can’t define it the same every time, but you know it when you see it. Some books are great for children, but will never cross over to where those out of middle school can enjoy it. It’s those rare books that firmly hit the kidlit audience; but can also be enjoyed as much those who don’t know who Captain Poopypants is that are a marvel to read. Dinosaur is one of those books.
Dinosaur: A Photicular Book created by Dan Kainen and written by Kathy Wollard is the New York Times bestselling series that is as much a natural fit to your children’s library as it is to a Paleontologist. At first glance Dinosaur doesn’t look like it has that wide of a range of readers. There are lots of big words and that’s not including the names of the dinosaurs.
Fear not the big words in Dinosaur young reader, that goes for you too mom and dad. One you read the text you’ll realize that it tells a story, for example the Sauroposeidon. We learn that this 120,000 pound beast was discovered by a dog trainer who was out for a walk in 1994. Readers will discover a little history about each dinosaur, detailed numbers about their weight, how much they ate and what the meal of the day was 110 million years ago.
Think of it as a children’s story with advanced vocabulary. Alternately, think of it as a dinosaur book whose photos are so engaging that children can’t help but look at it. It’s a bit like The Muppets really. The Muppets was a show that children and adults could both enjoy. They enjoyed it for different reasons, but they both enjoyed the show and it was something they did together.
Dinosaur, and the rest of the Photicular Books that were created by Dan Kainen are that way. The movement of the animals in the books transforms younger readers into their world. We’re on the Arctic tundra, swinging with gorillas or watching a Velociraptor flap its wings in a menacing manner.
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The illustrations in Dinosaur are spot on. Unlike the subjects in his other books, there aren’t any Protoceratops for us to photograph. Dinosaur has detailed illustrations of eight dinosaurs, some of which you’ve heard of, many of which will be a surprise. Unless that is, you’re an 8 year-old who happens to, or at least claims to know the names, habits and genus of every dinosaur around. For the record, our 8 year-old doesn’t, but he insists that he knows the names to all things giant lizard.
However, that’s part of the genius of Dinosaur and the photicular books. They make learning fun and do it by inspiring our curiosity, regardless of how old-or young you are and happen to be reading this book.
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