Imagine a furry, flying dinosaur with a 28-foot wing span, soaring on leathery wings, catching a fishy supper and avoiding fatal battles with T. rex, Elasmosaurus, Tylosaurus and an unnamed raptor. Dinosaur lovers will enjoy this handsomely illustrated picture book full of drama and speculation about the life cycle of the American Pteranodon, a flying dinosaur that lived somewhere in Kansas over 100 million years ago, when the middle of North America was covered by the Niobrara Sea. The author notes that scientists are not sure if this species laid eggs, but most agree that Pteranodons were “a lot like birds.” Using fossil findings and her imagination, she recreates the life cycle of one Pteranodon. Full-color illustrations show vivid orange and gold Pteranodons strutting, displaying their elaborately patterned wings, soaring over shallow seas and nesting on rocky ledges. These reptiles lacked the teeth and tail of their European cousins but are nonetheless impressive for their size. Concludes with a map of the Late Cretaceous, glossary, bibliography and notes. (Nonfiction. 7-10)
