Pterosaurs, the Flying Reptiles

School Library Journal

Gr 3-5 Flying reptiles are usually mentioned only briefly in treatments of prehistoric life. This handsome book describes and illustrates nearly two dozen species of these creatures which, the text explains, were not related to the dinosaurs with whom they existed. The book also clearly distinguishes between the two main types of pterosaurs: rhamphorhynchoids and pterodactyloids. As in her earlier books, Sattler details the clues which have led paleontologists to startling conclusions about the habits of specific pterosaurs. Sumptuous watercolor illustrations depict most of the pterosaurs described in dynamic detail and realistic action. Each pterosaur and dinosaur illustrated is labeled. Smoothly written text is followed by a time chart listing species of pterosaurs in the specific time period in which they first appeared. A combined pronunciation guide and index translates each dinosaur's and pterosaur's name into English and indicates pages on which pictures and text appear. This is more current and colorful than John Kaufmann's Flying Reptiles in the Age of Dinosaurs (Morrow, 1976; o.p.). Ann G. Brouse, Steele Memorial Library, Elmira, N.Y.