DINOSAUR VALLEY

Translated from the Japanese, a day in the late Cretaceous life of an Orodromeus—a relatively small dinosaur—and her newly hatched ``chicks.'' Broad double spreads in simple blues, greens, and browns depict encounters with many other species—plants, birds, insects, and larger reptiles—but though there's a battle between two Pachycephalosaurs, there's no bloodshed; the Orodromeus chicks succeed in hiding from the many predators shown. Kurokawa's crisp, clear style, expansive backgrounds, and dramatically posed dinosaurs will attract readers; for those who want to know more, the information is extended in ``Dino Facts for Older Readers,'' with numbered keys to the earlier illustrations and additional b&w drawings. The author omits any reference to size, but is scrupulous in distinguishing fact from conjecture; his gatefold spread depicting the many activities on a modern dig is a useful component. Glossary, including names of dinosaurs mentioned. (Nonfiction. 6-10)