The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins

The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins chronicles the true story of Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins, a British artist and sculptor who created the first life-sized dinosaur models in the 1850s. Brian Selznick's Caldecott Honor-winning illustrations bring the Victorian era and Hawkins' incredible work to life. Hawkins partnered with scientists to envision what dinosaurs looked like based on fossil evidence, then constructed massive sculptures for display at London's Crystal Palace. The book follows his journey from initial sketches through the complex process of building these groundbreaking models. Through detailed research and historical records, Kerley reconstructs Hawkins' pioneering efforts to help Victorian society understand and visualize extinct creatures that had never been seen by human eyes. The book includes extensive back matter with historical notes and information about modern paleontology. This compelling work explores themes of scientific discovery, artistic vision, and the power of imagination to bridge gaps in human knowledge. The intersection of art and science remains central to the story's enduring relevance.

Readers appreciate the book's detailed illustrations and engaging true story about the first person to create life-sized dinosaur models. Parents and teachers report the book works well for ages 5-12, noting it combines art, science, and history in an accessible way. Readers highlight: - Historical accuracy and research - Brian Selznick's Victorian-style artwork - Educational back matter and author's notes - Cross-curricular teaching applications Common criticisms: - Text length challenges younger listeners - Some find the Victorian-era details less interesting - A few note the science is outdated by modern standards Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (120+ ratings) Multiple reviewers mention using the book to teach about both dinosaurs and the nature of scientific discovery. One teacher wrote: "Shows students how scientific understanding evolves over time." Several parent reviews note children requesting repeated readings and studying the detailed illustrations.

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🦕 The Crystal Palace dinosaur models created by Waterhouse Hawkins still stand today in London's Crystal Palace Park, despite being scientifically inaccurate by modern standards. 🎨 Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins hosted a New Year's Eve dinner party inside his unfinished Iguanodon model in 1853, with 21 prominent scientists seated around a table. 📚 Barbara Kerley's book won the 2002 Sibert Honor Award for excellence in children's nonfiction literature. 🦖 Hawkins was also commissioned to create dinosaur models for New York's Central Park, but the project was destroyed before completion by corrupt politician William "Boss" Tweed. 🔬 The book's illustrator, Brian Selznick, later became famous for "The Invention of Hugo Cabret," which was adapted into Martin Scorsese's film "Hugo."