The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins

Gr 2—5—Today a basic knowledge of dinosaurs is common, but in the early 1800s scientists were just beginning to discover odd, oversized bones and draw conclusions, many of them erroneous. In 1853, London artist Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins decided to educate and enthrall the public by sculpting life-sized dinosaur models. He even held a dinner party inside one of his iguanodon sculptures! Barbara Kerley's true story (Scholastic, 2001) chronicles the artist's achievements, providing information about his life, his successes, and his calamitous encounter with Boss Tweed in New York City. While Jonathan Pryce reads the story with expression and vigor, Brian Selznick's rich, Caldecott Honor-winning illustrations are scanned, with minor animation added. The story is fascinating and the illustrations are dramatic. Original music and background sounds augment the production. The interviews with the author and illustrator nicely round out the production, providing interesting information about how artists and authors work to create their final products, the value of libraries, and the excitement of finding and sharing information with a new generation; photos of the actual Waterhouse sculptures in England are included. Read-along subtitles are options. The interviews greatly increase curriculum application possibilities.—Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA