Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Dutton Children's Books [First Edition]
Pages
32
Description
Examines what is known about dinosaur bones, behavior, and other characteristics and how different the facts often are from what scientists, from ancient China to the recent past, believed to be true.
Description
The ancient Chinese thought they were magical dragons. Scientists thought they could only float on water since they were so big. Boy, were they wrong! Even today, notions about dinosaurs are being revised as new discoveries are made. This lively book offers fascinating insight into how certain theories were formulated, and then how those theories were proved or disproved.
Collection
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
32 p.; 10.25 x 8.25 inches
ISBN
0525469788 / 9780525469780
Similar in this library
Lexile
L
User reviews
LibraryThing member AbigailAdams26
This outstanding science title for younger readers manages both to tap into childhood excitement about, and fascination with dinosaurs, and to communicate the idea that scientific thinkers are not infallible - that scientific ideas and theories must change, as our evidence grows - in a way that
Highlighting the many ways in which early scientists and scholars got it wrong - the ancient Chinese thinking that dinosaur bones were evidence of dragons, the assumption that dinosaurs were cold-blooded, rather than warm-blooded - when it comes to our dinosaurian friends, Boy, Were We Wrong About Dinosaurs! sets the record straight, as far as it is possible with our current knowledge, and emphasizes the fact that current thinking may be incorrect as well. The artwork was very amusing (I liked the little speech blurbs showing what the dinosaurs might have thought about the misconceptions being depicted), and adds to the feeling of excitement. All in all, an excellent book for all young dinosaur lovers, and for young scientists in general.
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feels entirely natural, and free of any "lecturing" tone. Of course, as a non-fiction title, there is a clear didactic purpose here, but Kudlinksi's narrative, aided by S.D. Schindler's art, never loses sight of the fact that this is a topic that is fun, as well factual.Highlighting the many ways in which early scientists and scholars got it wrong - the ancient Chinese thinking that dinosaur bones were evidence of dragons, the assumption that dinosaurs were cold-blooded, rather than warm-blooded - when it comes to our dinosaurian friends, Boy, Were We Wrong About Dinosaurs! sets the record straight, as far as it is possible with our current knowledge, and emphasizes the fact that current thinking may be incorrect as well. The artwork was very amusing (I liked the little speech blurbs showing what the dinosaurs might have thought about the misconceptions being depicted), and adds to the feeling of excitement. All in all, an excellent book for all young dinosaur lovers, and for young scientists in general.
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LibraryThing member skeeterbo
I liked the book because it was about dinosaurs and I like them. The Chinese were the first people to find dinosaur bones, and they thought they belonged to a dragon.
LibraryThing member Robinsbooks7
I picked this book because it combines many non-western and western cultural ideas about dinosaurs. I like how it shows where the scientist were wrong and how they fixed it. I gave it a rating of four out of five because there are not photographs in it. I do think the drawings are very detailed and
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well done. It’s just that photographs in my opinion are a very important part of scientific investigations. This is what paleontologists should do, to take photos as well as make good drawling and hypotheses. Show Less
LibraryThing member rfary1
The book goes through many theories about dinosaurs that used to be popular among scientists and have since fallen out of favor, including the belief that dinosaurs were cold blooded, that they had legs like lizards, and dragged their tails behind them. After giving each theory it goes on to
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explain why the thinking changed and what we believe now. I like that this book talked about how scientific thinking is always evolving based on the most current evidence. Most of the time children are merely presented with facts, instead of learning the why behind them. This book, however, doesn't do that. At the end the book even states that while the facts presented in the book are believed to be true now, they may be proven wrong later and that children who are reading this book now may someday be the ones to prove the theories wrong. The illustrations also do a nice job of showing what scientists previously thought dinosaurs did or looked like and how they believed that looked like or behaved now. This book is useful for teaching students about dinosaurs and about the scientific process in general Show Less
LibraryThing member JodiEasley
This is a very in depth description of the scientific opinions about dinosaurs. Third or fourth grade students would enjoy this story, but as a teacher, I would not recommend this story for a read aloud. It is very lengthy. I would have this on the shelf though for leisure reading for students.
LibraryThing member kimbo2012
Summary:
Scientists repeatedly say not were we wrong about dinosaurs. The Chinese original image was a magical dragon, but know on knows what dinosaurs really look like. All we have is fossil bones and a few other clues. As scientist find more bones and do more research they find they are wrong
Personal Reaction:
This was a good nonfiction because it not only talked about what we now know but also the history of it! I feel this is a good book for children but especially young boys!
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Do a chart as a class with what we know, what we want to know, and what we learn, and then what we learned. Fill out the chart then read the story and finally fill out the rest of the chart.
2. Have them do research about dinosaurs and fill out the chart some more!
Scientists repeatedly say not were we wrong about dinosaurs. The Chinese original image was a magical dragon, but know on knows what dinosaurs really look like. All we have is fossil bones and a few other clues. As scientist find more bones and do more research they find they are wrong
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about most dinosaurs. Personal Reaction:
This was a good nonfiction because it not only talked about what we now know but also the history of it! I feel this is a good book for children but especially young boys!
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Do a chart as a class with what we know, what we want to know, and what we learn, and then what we learned. Fill out the chart then read the story and finally fill out the rest of the chart.
2. Have them do research about dinosaurs and fill out the chart some more!
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LibraryThing member Turrean
Great book, for many reasons. First, this will appeal to the young I-only-read-dinosaur-books crowd. The pictures are amusingly cartoonish, but not babyish. Secondly, the book should be part of any primary school unit on "the scientific method," as the book's focus is on the fact that scientific
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knowledge grows and changes. Things scientists thought to be inviolable truth were later proved wrong. Lastly, this is a good book to share when talking about the reliability of information sources. Since dinosaur theories have changed so dramatically over the years, kids need to be wary about the information in older sources. Show Less
LibraryThing member ElissaBroadaway
Summary: a lot of assumptions have been made about dinosaurs. But we know what assuming does! This book works to help kids understand that much of what we originally believed about dinosaurs is wrong, and we're coming up with a lot of new evidence to prove it!
Personal Reaction: I loved that this
Classroom Extensions:
1. Before reading, make a list as a class of what the students think about dinosaurs, what do they know?
2. Afterwards, have students pick a dinosaur from a premade list. They will get into groups based on which dino they chose, and will each do a small part of a larger report. Bonus points if they can draw the dinosaur on poster board and label different body parts that make it unique!
Personal Reaction: I loved that this
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book makes dinosaur research more accessible to students, and it tells the information in such a way that it doesn't feel much like an informational book - but it is!Classroom Extensions:
1. Before reading, make a list as a class of what the students think about dinosaurs, what do they know?
2. Afterwards, have students pick a dinosaur from a premade list. They will get into groups based on which dino they chose, and will each do a small part of a larger report. Bonus points if they can draw the dinosaur on poster board and label different body parts that make it unique!
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LibraryThing member SydneySays
Summary:
This informational book is about dinosaurs and all we've ever thought about them from where they came from to how they became extinct. It offers interesting insight into how certain theories were formulated and then how we have either proved or disproved those theories.
Personal Summary:
As
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Before reading this book ask students to think about where they think dinosaurs came from and how they became extinct. Then have students draw a picture illustrating their own theories about dinosaurs.
2. Ask students to compare and contrast dinosaurs and some of the reptiles we think have evolved from dinosaurs today.
This informational book is about dinosaurs and all we've ever thought about them from where they came from to how they became extinct. It offers interesting insight into how certain theories were formulated and then how we have either proved or disproved those theories.
Personal Summary:
As
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a child and an adult I have never been very interested in dinosaurs, but this book gives so much information about them in an interesting way that makes you forget you are even reading an informational book. I like that while giving information about dinosaurs it also teaches children how scientific theories work. Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Before reading this book ask students to think about where they think dinosaurs came from and how they became extinct. Then have students draw a picture illustrating their own theories about dinosaurs.
2. Ask students to compare and contrast dinosaurs and some of the reptiles we think have evolved from dinosaurs today.
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LibraryThing member Cheryl_in_CC_NV
Bravo. One of my pet peeves is how much misinformation is still spread about scientific topics, including dinosaurs, and I believe most children will learn from this that not only are paleontologists capable of revising their theories, but all scientists are learning & rethinking all the time.
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Please, if you share this with children, make sure they do realize that there could be a whole series of Boy, Were We Wrong About..." books." Show Less
Subjects
Awards
BCCB Blue Ribbon Book (2006)
Grand Canyon Reader Award (Nominee — Nonfiction — 2009)
AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books (Finalist — 2007)
Black-Eyed Susan Book Award (Nominee — Picture Books — 2008)
Call number
SCI F.100 J