Reviews:

Booklist, November 1, 2003

*Starred Review* Gr. 4-6. Halls begins with a personal account of her lifelong fascination with lizards and dinosaurs and her excitement upon learning about mummified dinosaur fossils. Though bones are the most common dinosaur fossils, occasionally soft tissue such as skin and muscles became fossilized. These are referred to as mummies. After clearly explaining the fossilization process, the book spotlights six significant dinosaur mummies, from the 1908 discoveries of an Edmontosaurus skeleton wrapped in its skin to the 2000 find of Leonardo, a Brachylophosaurus fossil with skin, bones, muscles, internal organs, stomach contents, and a neck pouch. Halls' enthusiasm shines through in this well-researched and clearly written book. Sidebars carry information about people mentioned or quoted as well as information about various terms. Drawings washed with color show how the dinosaurs might have looked, while many excellent color photos illustrate the fossilized finds, and dinosaur diggers and paleontologists at work. Appendixes include a glossary, lists of sources, including many personal interviews and correspondence with paleontologists, fully annotated lists of recommended children's books, videos, and Internet sites on dinosaurs as well as a list of museums offering dinosaur digs. Solid information with a personal touch.

Kirkus Reviews, August 1, 2003

Despite some minor bobbles, young dinosaur fans will latch onto this heavily illustrated report like starving velociraptors at a picnic. The indefatigably enthusiastic Halls writes with two purposes in mind: to recount the discoveries and natures of dinosaur fossils that include not just bones, but remnants of “skin, hearts, muscles and goop-filled stomachs”; not to mention feathers and a variety of less durable tissues; and to introduce many of the paleontologists who have made, or are making, those discoveries.

She highlights six finds in particular, but mentions many more, nearly all of which get at least one photo, and closes with enough references of relevant books, videos, DVDs, Web sites, and public “digs” to satisfy the most demanding dinophile. Spears supplements the photos with cartoon scenes of reconstructed specimens, and Carpenter contributes an essay on the importance of the just-discovered duckbill dubbed “Leonardo.” Though two photos are repeated and the portrait gallery of scientists is capped with a profile of eminent specialist Dr. Karen Chin, in which she’s labeled “a girl who loves digging up dinosaur doo doo,” this is definitely a must, as useful as it is entertaining.

School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-Recent discoveries of mummified, fossilized soft tissue have given scientists important new information about dinosaurs. The author begins by explaining the process of fossilization, noting the wide difference between the mineralized mummies that paleontologists study and intentionally preserved specimens like Egyptian mummies. Then she gives the background, details, and implications of six key discoveries, starting with the Sternberg Edmontosaurus in the early 1900s. The other examples all date from the past 10 years, culminating with the 2000 discovery of Leonardo, the most complete mummified dinosaur found so far. A bit of information about each scientist is provided, along with comments from most of them about their work, so readers get a feel for the dedication and enthusiasm of these groundbreaking paleontologists. These discoveries are not only rare; they also have significant impact on our understanding of dinosaurs. The fossilized Sinosauropteryx, for example, helped confirm the existence of feathered dinosaurs, while a 66-million-year-old preserved heart supports theories of warm-blooded dinosaurs. Each discovery is introduced in a clear and lively style, so youngsters can follow the text without becoming overwhelmed by names, dates, or scientific terms. The layout is inviting, with good use of white space and many full-color photographs and drawings showing dinosaurs, fossils, and the scientists themselves. A brief "paleo-notebook" offers details on 10 other key dinosaur mummies. The current data and intriguing focus should make this a popular and valuable addition to dinosaur shelves.

Bulletin of the Center for Childen's Books , October 2003

"Readers hoping for linen-shrouded behemoths, or at least a cache of desiccated but intact remains, may be momentarily disappointed to find that paleontologists' definition of a mummy differs from archaeologists'. Here the deceased dino has been thoroughly permeated by minerals that retain the animal’s structure after its organic matter has decomposed. Any disappointment should soon dissipate, though, as readers learn just how much fascinating evidence can be gleaned from the mineralized forms...Dig in."

Dr. Peter Dodson, University of Pennsylvania

"Thanks for your contributions in making dinosaur paleontology a richer more interesting field--so much more so than mere dry bones."

Dr. James Farlow, Indiana-Purdue University at Fort Wayne

"...an interesting addition to the juvenile dinosaur literature, covering as it does an unusual area."

Dr. Derek Briggs, Yale's Peabody Museum

"...an exciting new slant on dinosaurs for younger readers."

Dr. Peter Dodson, University of Pennsylvania

"...billed as a kids book, but we all know that adults will equally benefit."

National Science Teachers Association

Dinosaur Mummies: Beyond Bare-Bone Fossils is a refreshing and updated discussion of dinosaurs and paleontology. Middle school students will enjoy examining these unusual dinosaur fossils in which skin, scales, feathers, or internal organs were fossilized along with the bones.

Excellent photography and eye-catching graphics are sure to grab students' attention. But the picture-book format is deceptive; this volume includes high-quality research and some really advanced concepts. Most students in fifth or sixth grade will find the reading level appropriate, and the text is punctuated by boldfaced terms that are defined in the glossary.

The book nicely balances historical discoveries and recent ones. A series of vignettes present important fossil finds, and comprehensive sidebars highlight different species and the scientists who study them. Readers will be exposed to real scientific debates such as whether dinosaurs were cold-blooded or warm-blooded, or the relationship between dinosaurs and birds. Several up-to-date websites are included for students who want to research further.

Teachers should be aware of a few potentially controversial photographs, including the headshot of a human mummy and the photo of a paleontologist holding a cigarette. But overall this book is an exceptional resource for middle elementary students who are ready to go beyond dinosaur identification guides and learn about how scientists really study dinosaurs.

Think & Discover

Readers can move from the world of imagination to explore the latest science findings on recent fossil discoveries with Dinosaur Mummies: Beyond Bare-Bone Fossils by Kelly Milner Halls (Darby Creek Publishing, 2003). This book discusses the remarkable find in 2000 by a group of scientists on a dinosaur dig in Montana who discovered the most complete fossilized dinosaur mummy ever. Besides bones and teeth, their find included fossilized skin, muscles, hearts and stomachs.

The Midwest Book Review,August 2003

"Dinosaur Mummies: Beyond Bare-Bone Fossils" is an absolutely fascinating and authoritatively researched look at the most complete dinosaur mummies ever found...[it] stands out from the oversized pack... Highly recommended...to bring a tired subject uniquely up-to-date."

St. Louis Post Dispatch,October 15, 2003

For anyone mad for mummies or dinosaurs, "Dinosaur Mummies: Beyond Bare-Bone Fossils" (Darby Creek Publishing, 48 pages, $17.95) is a must. Author Kelly Milner Halls introduces readers 10 and older to the world of fossilized mummies - how they are formed, what is preserved and what scientists are discovering from them.

Bayviews , July 2003