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Bright colors and fascinating facts fill Bob Barner’s newest book for young children, Dinosaurs Roar, Butterflies Soar. Children are fascinated by animals, particularly those which are either extinct or colorful – like dinosaurs and butterflies!
Following a chronological sequence, the story begins millions of years ago with the appearance of the first dinosaurs. It then moves throughout prehistory to the appearance of insects - including moths, the predecessors of butterflies. With a symbiotic, mutual relationship, butterflies pollinated plants for the dinosaurs while the dinosaurs opened the soil with their feet and fertilized the seeds with their droppings for the insects. Explaining one theory of the extinction of the dinosaurs, the story moves on to explain the survival of butterflies. The book ends with a timeline and fascinating facts about both dinosaurs and insects.
Ten years ago, I read dinosaur books to my three sons almost every day; they couldn’t get enough of these ancient creatures. This book works on two levels – a story of dinosaurs and related scientific facts. The stunning two-page spreads are done as collages with bright colors layered to create depth with obvious texture and patterns. Offering a different perspective than most dinosaur books, this book encourages children to think about a commonplace insect, the butterfly, and imagine it living with dinosaurs.
Although some may disagree with the assumptions made regarding scientific theories (evolution and asteroids as the cause of dinosaur extinction), nevertheless these are commonly accepted theories which are confirmed by most other books about dinosaurs. Teachers can use this simple story to explain animal relationships, particularly the symbiotic relationship of mutualism.
Dinosaurs Roar, Butterflies Soar causes me to fondly reminisce about the days when my children eagerly anticipated any story or new fact about dinosaurs. There will never be enough new books about this captivating subject.
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Dinosaurs Roar, Butterflies Soar