If you’ve ever wondered about the feeding habits of prehistoric beasts, Could You Ever Dine With Dinosaurs? (by Sandra Markle) seeks to answer your questions. Well, as long as you’re only interested in carnivorous dinosaurs, that is, since this book deals exclusively with the predatory theropod dinosaurs.
The text goes back and forth between different modes of predation, from typical carnivores, to piscivores, to insectivores. I would have considered grouping the different types together to add some kind of flow to the book, but the book takes a more randomized approach to its presentation.
The pictures are a mix of stock images and original illustrations by Vanessa Morales. Morales’ illustrations are alright, though they often take their cues from the stock images, which are occasionally a bit wonky. Most of the raptor dinosaurs have the dreaded “feather sleeves”, for example, as opposed to full wings. A few better stock images make their way into the book, however, including a lovely Ambopteryx by the always-excellent Gabriel Ugueto.
The exclusive focus on carnivores feels somewhat limiting to me, personally. Including herbivores would go a long way towards adding some much-needed variety to the book, as opposed to yet another steak dinner with a mega-theropod. There’s also not much in the way of informing readers how we know what we know. Dining With Dinosaurs and The Clues are in the Poo both do a better job on this front, while maintaining an easy-to-read character.
Ultimately, I guess Could You Ever Dine With Dinosaurs? is more or less okay for what it is, but it could be better. I would recommend Hannah Bonner’s Dining With Dinosaurs as a far superior version of what this book is trying to be. It’s is more detailed and does more to educate while also managing to not go over the heads of young readers.
Dino Dad Reviews 