Kitchen Table Reviews: The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins
The family steps back into dinosaur times with this vividly illustrated book.
The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins by Barbara Kerley and Brian Selznick
Once upon a time I took my children to a dinosaur exhibit at our local Museum of Science and they asked me how the giant skeletons and other models are made. “I have no idea,” I answered, because I didn’t. And then I forgot all about it, because there is always laundry and homework and a million other things that need my time and attention.
And then I came across The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins, and to my delight, now I know the answer to that long-ago question. But instead of just telling them, I made my children read the book, too. Because that’s how I roll.
Me: Let’s talk—who liked this book?
Both: Meeeeeeeeee!
Me: I really liked it, too. What did you like about it?
Daughter: It was like a fairy tale, sort of. Only it was real. I mean, it seems fairy tale-ish, how he dreams about dinosaurs, and then gets to build them, and how he gets to travel and learn and have people cheer for his work,
Son: Yeah, I usually like fiction a lot better than non-fiction. But this was totally interesting and read like a fiction story. And dinosaurs are like dragons!
Me: Why don’t you each tell me your favorite part?
Son: I liked how it went through all the steps of how the dinosaurs are made. That was cool.
Daughter: My favorite was when he invited the important people to dinner and they ate inside one of the models! I wish I could’ve done that.
Me: Did you happen to notice that the book showed you the menu from that dinner, in the back?
Daughter: Yeah, but they must’ve been kidding, because turtle soup was on the menu.
Me: Ummm. Yeah, not kidding.
Daughter: EWWWWWWW!
Have I mentioned she’s a vegetarian…?
Me: Any parts you didn’t like?
Daughter: Them eating turtles!
Me: Besides that?
Son: I didn’t like it when his workshop got broken into and everything was broken. That made me sad.
Me: Yep, Boss Tweed and his gang were some bad, bad guys. But did you know there were dinosaur model pieces buried in Central Park because of that? Cool, huh?
Son: Yeah!
Me: And Hawkins accomplished a lot, even with those models being destroyed.
Daughter: It was really cool to read about him being able to do all of that so long ago. And then to read what we’ve learned about dinosaurs since then.
Me: Do you think most kids would like this book?
Son: Definitely.
This is a fascinating biography disguised as a beautiful book about dinosaurs. It’s easily the best book I’ve read in months.
Pros: Dinosaurs are interesting to just about everyone. Beautiful artwork that really brings the story to life. It’s like a real-life fairy tale.
Cons: Boss Tweed and his gang. Turtle soup. Dinosaurs are extinct.
The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins gets three thumbs way up from our kitchen table.
