Titanosaur: Discovering the World's Largest Dinosaur

by Diego Pol, Jose Luis Carballido, Florencia Gigena (Illustrator)

Overview

Scholastic and the American Museum of Natural History join forces in a thrilling new picture book about the discovery of the Titanosaur — the biggest, heaviest creature to ever walk Earth!

Get ready to meet the Titanosaur — the biggest, heaviest creature to ever walk the Earth! This book tells the story of the discovery of this new dinosaur from the mouths of the paleontologists who led the dig! From its discovery by a local herder, to the organization and completion of the excavation, this riveting story will have readers on the edge of their seats, and the beautifully painted illustrations will mesmerize. The final spread will open up into a gatefold showing a photograph of the full Titanosaur skeleton on display at the museum. Chock-full of back matter like a glossary and extra information and photographs from the dig, and an inside jacket poster of the Titanosaur, kids of all ages will devour this book.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781338207392
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	02/26/2019
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	672,486
Product dimensions:	11.70(w) x 11.60(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	930L (what's this?)
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

About the Author

Dr. Carballido acquired his PhD studying and analyzing the evolution and anatomy of sauropod dinosaurs. He obtained his doctoral degree in 2012, conducting his research at the MEF Museum in Patagonia, where he is still working. For the last 10 years he conducted and participated in several field trips in Patagonia, looking for new evidence on past life, especially in Cretaceous rocks. He is particularly interested in understanding the great diversity of these giant plant-eating dinosaurs that proliferated in Patagonia during the dinosaur era. He is currently studying some new species of sauropods from South America, as well as species from other places such as Germany and the United States.
Mother and wife, graphic designer, illustrator, philanthropist, and fan of museums, history, and humor, Florencia has created designs, images, and communication strategies in all areas, from the landing of the largest dinosaur in the world in New York to the launch of one of the latest European cars in Argentina. She graduated with a degree in Fine Arts and Design, and has been living in Patagonia for more than two decades. Head of the Communication Management at MEF and creative director of her own design studio, she divides her activities between multiple and different facets.
Dr. Pol studies dinosaurs and other fossil reptiles and specializes in understanding their evolutionary relationships using phylogenetics. During the last 10 years, Pol and his research team have explored different regions of South America and discovered fossils of over 20 new species of dinosaurs, crocs, and other vertebrates. Pol has also worked closely with colleagues from the American Museum of Natural History and other institutions worldwide on field expeditions and scientific studies of fossils from South Africa, Madagascar, Colombia, Brazil, Mongolia, and China. He conducted his PhD at the joint program of Columbia University and the AMNH and received his degree in 2005. Since 2006 he has led the Vertebrate Paleontology program at the MEF Museum in Patagonia (Argentina), and he is a research associate of the AMNH Division of Paleontology.

Editorial Reviews

* "This book does an exceptional job of conveying the enthusiasm of the paleontologists (largely through recreated dialogue), scientific information relayed in illustrated sidebars, and the sheer size of the dinosaur. A concluding author's note seeks to inspire a new generation of paleontologists, and after reading this book there will doubtless be many lining up for the job." —Booklist, starred review* "Everyone who reads this case study in paleontology's methods and awesome rewards will want to grow up to be a dinosaur scientist." —Kirkus, starred review"With highlighted sections explaning vocabulary, special topics, and research methods, the book contains a lively mix of data, from details about sauropods to the day-to-day work of scientists. Gigena's beautiful, full-spread illustrations of the Patagonia terrain and the titanosaur are mesmerizing to look at." —School Library Journal

From the Publisher

11/01/2018

Gr 1–3—Carballido and Pol retell the amazing story of how they excavated and reconstructed a 100-million-year-old titanosaur in Patagonia. The narrative begins with the discovery of a large bone by a man, referred to only as "gaucho," and his eventual meeting with the authors/paleontologists before seguing into a detailed account of how a team of paleontologists methodically uncovered multiple titanosaurs and transported them to the MEF Museum in Patagonia for reconstruction. With highlighted sections explaining vocabulary, special topics, and research methods, the book contains a lively mix of data, from details about sauropods to the day-to-day work of scientists. This title would work well for kids curious about the duties of a paleontologist. Gigena's beautiful, full-spread illustrations of the Patagonia terrain and the titanosaur are mesmerizing to look at. There are also color photos of the excavation and completed titanosaur skeleton featured throughout the book. VERDICT Consider for dino enthusiasts.—Meaghan Nichols, ASI Heritage, Ont.

School Library Journal

★ 2018-09-17

Argentine scientists involved in the actual dig describe one of modern paleontology's most titanic discoveries.

"Excuse me," says a Patagonian gaucho, stopping to view a dinosaur exhibit on a visit to town. "I found a bone just like that one on my ranch. But it's much bigger than that one." And so it is, as investigating paleontologist José (lead author Carballido) demonstrates in a memorable, money-shot illustration by Gigena, by lying down beside a 7-foot, 10-inch fossil femur—the largest of over 180 bones to be excavated, carefully preserved, hauled away from their remote site, and copied so that an exact replica of the humongous new species, Patagotitan mayorum, could be assembled. Running sidebar definitions and explanations of, for instance, how scientists can estimate a dinosaur's body mass by measuring its arm and leg bones and what a single fossil tooth can tell scientists about a dinosaur's eating habits enhance the third-person account, as does the mix of photos and painted views of women and (mostly unshaven) men at work in the field and lab. The story and pictures culminate in a jaw-dropping double-page-spread portrait of the finished dino model. "It's the biggest dinosaur ever found," concludes José's partner Diego (co-author Pol). "For now," replies José.

Everyone who reads this case study in paleontology's methods and awesome rewards will want to grow up to be a dinosaur scientist. (jacket poster) (Informational picture book. 6-9)

Kirkus Reviews