(4) 4-6 Illustrated by John Sibbick. This weighty volume traces the beginnings of life on earth through the dinosaur age. The book's strongest element is its thorough cataloging of a wide variety of prehistoric creatures, each described briefly with a key listing maximum length, time period, and fossil locations. The layout, which includes competently rendered color illustrations and photos, is overcrowded. A list of websites is included. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta