ORNITHOMIMIDS

This entry in the Special Dinosaurs series discusses a type of dinosaur thought to be the fastest. Lessem (Jack Horner, 1994, etc.) describes the discovery of the dinosaur, what is known about its habits, and why scientists think it was capable of such speed; he includes information on early dinosaur hunters and contemporary paleontologists. The brief text is lively, if disjointed; the title of the book is misleading, since the word ornithomimids does not refer to a single dinosaur but a family of Coelelurosaurs that includes more than half a dozen species. Readers won't be able to sort out the difficult scientific nomenclature; no classification chart is provided. Despite such lack of precision, children will be drawn to the vivid full-color photographs and appealing illustrations of familiar creatures. (glossary, index) (Picture book/nonfiction. 8-12)