Blog Tour and Giveaway for How To Survive in the Age of Dinosaurs by Stephanie Warren Drimmer

   

Welcome to the blog tour for

How to Survive in the Age of Dinosaurs,

part of National Geographic Kids’ DinoMAYnia – a month-long celebration of all things prehistoric!

 

 All week blogs are hosting fun excerpts from this handy guide so you will know just what it takes to dodge deadly dinosaurs, ride out mega monsoons and escape other perils of the prehistoric!

How To Survive the Cretaceous

It’s hot, humid, and the heyday of the dinosaurs. During the Cretaceous, Pangaea has finally split apart into separate continents, and different dinos rule on each. Herds of Triceratops munch on newly evolved flowering plants in what is now the United States. Sauropods nearly the size of jumbo jets shake the earth in South America and Africa. And Tyrannosaurus rex, the most fearsome predator that ever lived, menaces North America. Does a human stand a chance?

• The Cretaceous: 145-66 million years ago
• Known For: The most iconic dinosaurs that ever lives
• Best Place for Home Base: The European islands, where there are no mega-size carnivorous dinos
• Your Main Food Source: Dinosaur eggs
• Try to avoid: Becoming lunch

How To Walk With Giants

Today, Earth’s largest land animal is the mighty African bush elephant, which can reach a height of 13 feet at the shoulder and weigh more than 10 tons. But that’s nothing compared with the titanosaurs. The largest of them all, Patagotitan mayorum, stood about 130 feet from nose to tail and weighed some 70 tons. That’s about the length of two trucks (with trailers) parked end to end, and the weight of nearly 10 African elephants. Like elephants, these enormous dinosaurs are gentle giants. The largest of the sauropods, they are plant-eating herbivores whose huge bulk means they have no predators to fear. They are one of the most spectacular sights in the Cretaceous landscape. But their sheer size means you have to approach them with caution. Here are some tips for safe viewing:

• Be Patient – You’re off to check your favorite nesting site for tasty eggs when—uh-oh—a herd of Dreadnoughtus are blocking the trail. Never try to shoo dinos off your path. Instead, wait until the massive creatures move to a new spot before continuing on your way.

• Keep Your Distance - Dinos that think you’re a predator on the attack could become aggressive as they try to defend themselves. Stay far back to show that you’re not a threat. If the dinosaurs start moving toward you, back away slowly.

• Know the Warning Signs - Watch the titanosaurs for any signs that they might be uneasy or stressed by your presence. Body language to look out for might include sniffing the air in your direction, pacing or pawing, or facing you while stamping a foot. If the dinosaurs seem not to want you there, move away slowly.

• Never Run - Fast, jerky movements can panic the titanosaurs. And you’ll want to avoid being caught in a herd of frightened, jumbo-size dinos at all costs. Keep your movements slow and steady. If you stay calm, the dinosaurs usually do, too. Happy titano-spotting!

Did You Know?

Large dinosaurs arrange their eggs in a ring, and then sit in the middle. This keeps them from crushing the delicate shells.

Buy | Buy on Bookshop.org

 

How to Survive in the Age of Dinosaurs:

A Handy Guide to Dodging Deadly Predators, Riding Out Mega-Monsoons and Escaping Other Perils of the Prehistoric

(ages 8-12, Paperback, National Geographic Kids Books)

Boom, boom, BOOM … Look out! That’s a T. rex coming your way!? You’ve been transported back in time to the age of the dinosaurs. What do you do?! Test your chops and discover if you have what it takes to survive at a time when Earth looked, well, a tad different in this ultimate survival guide to the prehistoric age. Find out how to make it through exploding volcanoes and mega monsoons—while dodging giant Permian bugs! See how to fend off an angry pterosaur and learn what to do if you’re caught in a stampede of enormous titanosaurs. Discover what you could eat (spoiler alert: You better like the taste of insects!), and find out which hungry creatures just might try to eat you! Packed with tips, tricks, and helpful maps, this is the ultimate handbook for dinosaur fans who want to know what life on Earth was really like when dinos ruled. Could you survive in the age of dinosaurs?

About the Author

Stephanie Warren Drimmer is an award winning science writer based in Los Angeles, California. She writes books and magazine features for kids about everything from the strangest places in space, to the chemistry of cookies, to the mysteries of the human brain. She has a degree in science journalism from New York University...but she thinks she likes writing for kids because she's secretly still one herself.

Website

 

About the Expert Contributor

Dr. Steve Brusatte vertebrate paleontologist and evolutionary biologist and professor at the University of Edinburgh who specializes in the anatomy, genealogy, and evolution of dinosaurs and other fossil organisms. He has written over 110 scientific papers, published six books (including the adult pop science book The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs, the textbook Dinosaur Paleobiology, and the coffee table book Dinosaurs), and has described over 15 new species of fossil animals. He has done fieldwork in Brazil, Britain, China, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Romania, and the United States. His research is profiled often in the popular press and he is a “resident paleontologist” and scientific consultant for the BBC's Walking With Dinosaurs team.

Website | Twitter

GIVEAWAY

 

• One (1) winner will receive a copy of How to Survive in the Age of Dinosaurs!
• US/Can only
• Ends 6/3 at 11:59 pm ET
• Enter via the form below

Visit the other stops on the tour for more chances to win   

Blog Tour Schedule:

May 22^nd— Mom Read It

May 23^rd— Ms. Yingling Reads

May 24^th – From the Mixed-Up Files of Middle Grade Authors

May 25^th -- Log Cabin Library

May 26^th— Mrs. Book Dragon

 

The Gullfather: Birdsy Seagull: Vol 1. A Seahawk Situation by Jeff Sikaitis & Jake Wheeler and Art by Geman Torres

The Gullfather: Birdsy Seagull: Vol 1. A Seahawk Situation by  Jeff Sikaitis &  Jake Wheeler and Art by Geman Torres
Publisher:  Books Fluent
Format:  Paperback
Number of pages:  92
Publishing:   June 6th, 2023
Source:  Publisher in exchange for an honest review

When the owners of Zen and Out erect a wooden security seahawk on their boardwalk eatery, all the gulls of Shoretown become scared.  The Gullfather, Birdsy Seagull and his crew are called upon to remove the creepy display.  Joey "One-Wing" Grella and Sammy "Vinny" Gullian set off a fireworks display, only to be birdnapped by the Zen and Out owners.  Soon Birdsy and his crew are putting on disguises to break out their friends. 

The Gullfather is the debut graphic novel for Jeff Sikaitis and Jake Wheeler.  It's been described as "The Sopranos for seven-year-olds" and it really does have a sort of wiseguys vibe, with Birdsy as the crime boss of Shoretown and his oddball family who rob the humans on the beach.  Their a pretty tight knight crew who do squabble from time to time, but it's all in good fun.  I found the story both entertaining and the action fast paced.  Truthfully, it was really hard not to read this in the voice of Tony Soprano, especially with lines like "ok, but don't breathe a word of this to any bird, Capisce?  The illustrations by Geman Torres are done well and highlight the action and silliness of the characters, and the lovely boardwalk setting, just imagine seagulls swooping down and swiping a bag of chips.  Then in a future panel enjoying the spoils of their heist.  The facial expressions of Birdsy and his crew were another highlight and loved how they complemented the language of a mobster boss and his dysfunctional crew.  Lastly, I find that the humor will appeal to kids and adults alike and this would make for a fun family read together.  

The Little Bad Book #3 Your Time Has Come! by Magnus Myst illustrations by Thomas Hussung

The Little Bad Book #3 Your Time Has Come! by Magnus Myst with illustrations by Thomas Hussung
Publisher:  Delacorte Press
Format:  E-book
Number of pages:  176 pages
Publishing:   June 6th, 2023 
Source:  Nicole Banholzer PR 

The Little Bad Book series was first published in Germany under the title Das Kleine Böse Buch and has been translated into English by Marshall Yarbrough.  The story opens with a request for a reader with some guts.  "And who is brave and clever and cunning and also, ideally, super-delicious." The narrator professes that the story could be dangerous and spooky but if you're the right kind of reader this just might be the book for you.   The Little Bad Book then tells the story of exploring the crypt of a castle and finding an ancient book that holds the secret to time travel.  He offers to take you across time to explore various historical events and maybe have some fun by changing things up a bit.  The only thing is you'll have to prove your up to the task by completing some challenges.  This is an interactive reading adventure.  Not your typical choose your own adventure type of experience where the reader makes various choices that determine the plot's outcome.  Instead, there are puzzles to solve and the story jumps around based on the answers you get.  The narrator offers up suggestions for an Emergency Time Travelling Kit and cautions that going on this kind of adventure can even lead to getting swallowed up into a time vortex.  Which all sounds pretty exciting.  

What really makes this kind of book so much fun are the full color illustrations by Thomas Hussung.  They're bright pinks and blues, dark pages alluding to danger and even dinosaurs.  Well, it is a time travel of sorts.  I enjoyed how interactive it is with all the word and cog puzzles, line number and chronometer readings, that when solved leads you either forward or back in the book.  Each next step adding to the excitement.  If you make a mistake in your answers you might end up meeting the Time Police, but the narrator will help you out by having you figure out what the secret ingredient in cola is to get you back on track.  Overall, an entertaining book.  My only pause is that I found this slightly difficult to follow as an ebook but I'm sure the flipping to various pages would be much easier in a physical copy.    **A huge thank you to Cate Turner for the digital review copy**

It's Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday with a review of Time Traveling Through Yellowstone National Park: The Adventures of Bubba Jones by Jeff Alt and illustrations by Hannah Tuohy

Time Traveling Through Yellowstone National Park: The Adventures of Bubba Jones by Jeff Alt and illustrations by Hannah Tuohy 
Publisher:  Beaufort Books
Format:  Paperback
Number of pages:  200
Publishing:   May 23rd, 2023
Source:  Rebecca Grose from SoCal Public Relations

Opening Line: "Hold on!"

Time Traveling Through Yellowstone National Park is the fifth book in the Adventures of Bubba Jones series written by author and hiking expert, Jeff Alt. Other books in the series have included visits to the Great Smoky Mountains, Shenandoah National Park, Acadia National Park, and the Grand Canyon.  They offer a fun way to explore the National Parks and are both informative and entertaining.  

Bubba Jones and his family are part of a legendary time traveling family, whose mission is to preserve and protect the National Parks.  In this latest book, Tommy "Bubba Jones" and his sister, Jenny "Hug-A-Bug" are on a family vacation in Yellowstone National Park where they had planned to go for a few hikes before attending their family reunion.  Their plans are thrown askew when Grandpa Lewis receives a mysterious note requesting their help in solving a mystery.  It seems that sometime in the past three families within the Jones line had united three of their magical artifacts and it created a magical force.    Drawing from ciphers, portals through time and letters from the past, Bubba, Jenny and Papa Lewis must retrace their ancestors' steps and reunite the artifacts once again to continue to preserve and protect the National Parks.

Using the families journal they're able to travel through time and witness events as they unfolded in the past, like going back over 600 million years to see the forests before they became petrified or going to 1894 to see why the Bison were wiped out.  The book captures many historical events, such as witnessing President Rosevelt give a speech at the dedication of the Roosevelt Arch and meeting the Buffalo Soldiers Bicycle Corps on the Minerva Terrace at Mammoth Hot Springs in 1896, which was especially enjoyable to read about as I'd never heard about them before.  The story is very detailed, including facts about the animals found in the park, different explorers, even which presidents have visited.  Alt explains the science behind hydrothermal activity of the geysers and hot springs and even gives many tips on keeping a safe distance from the animals in the park.  This would be especially fun to read if you were hiking or camping in Yellowstone, I can envision someone crossing off the recommended list of places to see or exploring the many hiking trails Alt listed.  Even using the map that's included at the back of the book.  There are discussion questions and even a full bibliography.  I'd say the only thing that I would've liked is if the ciphers wouldn't have been solved out for you, it doesn't really allow you to decode them yourself, which would've been way more fun.  The curriculum guide is nicely broken down into social studies, and science and would be extremely helpful to use as a teaching tool.   The black and white illustrations by Hannah Tuohy are lovely and I'm hoping to see Glacier Park covered in a future book.  A very pleasant way to explore the National Parks.  I know I plan to take the book with me the next time I go to Yellowstone.    

**A huge thank you to Rebecca Grose for the print copy of the book.**   

I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog HERE

It's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday with a review of Mace and Hammer (Del Toro Tales #3) by Darby Karchut

Mace and Hammer (Del Toro Tales #3) by Darby Karchut
Format:  E-ARC
Publisher:  Owl Hollow Press
Number of Pages:  218
Publishing:  May, 2023
Source:  Author in exchange for an honest review

Opening lines: "Hunting monsters in real life wasn't anything like in movies or books."

This is the synopsis for the second book in the Del Toro Tales:  "For four hundred years, generations of the Family Del Toro and their battle-savvy warhorses have secretly guarded their corner of Colorado from all things creepy. But when a menacing woman with some wicked witch powers shows up at the Del Toro ranch and demands the return of the Red Casket, twelve-year-old Matt Del Toro must team up with his best friend Perry—along with the warhorses Rigo and Isabel—to out-wit, out-ride, and out-fight one Viking-size sorceress."  I think it provides a nice introduction to the series and where things left off in book#2.  So yeah there are talking warhorses and a family that guards Colorado against not only a witch but these creatures called Skinners, something akin to a "freshly skinned animal carcass."  Creepy right? 

Mace and Hammer continues on from there.  Matt, his dad and brother Ben have been hunting Skinners for over a month, despite not even knowing whether any more are lingering about.  Both Matt and his horse, Rigo are becoming slightly bored.  You can't even use a cell phone in such a rural area.  Then they spot fresh tracks leading toward Huerfano and Perry's home, therefore they quickly ride out to try and cut off whatever is heading toward town.  At the same time, they need to stay ever vigilant because the bruja, Hester Lemprey is still out there too.  They arrive only to find whatever was out there gone.  Since the Skinners seem to be taken care of, Matt's dad decides that this is the perfect opportunity for the family to ride to el Camino del Cazador, take a little pilgrimage to relive a part of their family history and to make a journey to honor an old friend.  Even better, Matt's best friend, Perry gets permission from her mom to come along on the historic trip.  

The family begins to plan for their travel, gathering supplies and figuring out the rest stops including where all the watering holes are for the horses.  Then suddenly out of nowhere an Andalusian warhorse appears on the property named Dominic.  More mysteriously, he is the half-brother of El Cid, one of their horses who previously died.  Dominic is a free fighter, or riderless warhorse that fights beside his footman, and he offers to help guide them through the el Camino del Cazador to the Navarres ranch.  Soon the group is traveling across the dusty plains dealing with rockslides, death defying ascents, lighting storms and a new threat, tommyknockers, a human-hating subterranean race.  When tragedy hits and Matt gets separated from the rest of the party, he will have to use his training, ingenuity and an unexpected resource to reunite himself with his family.  

Family dynamics are the core of this story, and that includes the relationship between human and their horse.  Everyone has a part to play and Matt and his dad acknowledge that they wouldn't be able to survive without their warhorses help.  They are a part of their extended family, not a companion or pet.   Not only do they appreciate their strength, but their bravery to protect them from harms way, it is what makes the bond or connection that they share so very special.  I've always enjoyed Matt's character.  He's new to the whole fighting monsters, but makes up for whatever skill he lacks in enthusiasm and ingenuity.  He's not overly confident, and I respect that he is also very cautious and even introspective.  I also liked how his dad showed Matt a side he'd never seen before, one of also being afraid and unsure of himself.  Javier and Matt's relationship is built on a mutual trust and caring.  Javier never belittles Matt for the mistakes that he made, and always has his interests first.  Because Matt respects his dad so much, it was nice for him to see that they have a lot in common too.  Which is great because Matt has been knocking himself over the decision that he made in the previous book to hand over an important object to Hester Lemprey.

Finally there's the journey, which despite encountering many dangerous situations, including these super destructive worms, is one of reflection.  Moments around the campfire telling stories about El Cid, which were beautiful by the way.  Moments to laugh and heal from his loss, and to find happiness in thoughts about their previous adventures together.  While there wasn't as many battles in this story, I quite enjoyed the slower pace.  Watching Matt expanding his skills and the various choices he made.  Following along with them as they ride across the plains and through the canyons of Colorado.    Getting to know the history of tommyknockers and seeing the hints of a war to come, or a gathering of forces.  And reading the humorous lines, which had me giggling.  The banter between Matt and Rigo and among the warhorses is quite amusing.   Overall, this was a wonderful sequel and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.  

**A huge thank you to Darby for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review**

Cover Reveal for THE GREAT FOREST by Valinora Troy

Today I'm super excited to reveal the cover for Valinora Troy's THE GREAT FOREST - with special thanks to illustrator Phan Duy for the cover art.  Coming June 21st from Disresponsible Nodpots Publications.  

Title: The Great Forest
Author: Valinora Troy
Author Links: Website / Goodreads / Twitter
Publication Date: June 21st, 2023
Genres: MG, Fantasy
ADD it to Goodreads  The ebook is currently available here for pre-order at a special price of .99 cent/.99 pence

 

“Everything here hates you. The trees long to consume you, the ground to swallow you, the plants to poison you, and as for the creatures who live here… Your only chance of survival is to do exactly as I say. Clear?”

Twins Cathy and Alan are thrilled to be asked by the king of the Diamonds to enter the Great Forest on their eleventh birthday to complete the cleansing of the land. After all, Queen Rose is dead and all darkness gone from the trees. But when their home is attacked by a horde of vicious boars, and Alan and Cathy unwillingly taken to the Great Forest, the twins realise that evil remains there. Now they are faced with a terrible choice: escape from their captors and take their chances at survival, or find out who is waiting for them in the centre of the forest, and why?

 

Cathy and Alan are about to face the deadliest battle of their lives, against the forest, the monsters, … and each other.

 

The exciting conclusion to The Lucky Diamond trilogy

                                      And here’s the cover!

About the Author:

Valinora Troy has been writing since she was a child. Her first story popped into her head when she was 5 or 6, about a little girl who found a magic diamond. Recently she completed a M.A. in Creative Writing, specializing in Children & Young Adult fiction. Her short stories for adults have appeared in numerous venues. She has also served as a panelist for the CYBILS award, visits schools and libraries, and occasionally run writing classes for talented young authors. She hails from Blackrock, Co Louth, Ireland, and after living in Dublin for a number of years, recently returned to Louth to live in a magical writing cottage. Find out more at Valinora Troy – Children's Fantasy Writer

 

 

It's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday with a review of Might As Well Be Dead by Mark Goldblatt

Might As Well Be Dead by Mark Goldblatt

Publisher:  Phoenix Press Ltd UK
Format:  Paperback
Number of pages: 214 pages 
Publishing:  May 5th, 2023 
Source:  Simone Jung at Books Forward 

Opening Line:  " The first time I ever laid eyes on him, I was ninety-nine percent sure he wasn't real." 

Thirteen-year-old David Salmon and his dad have been grappling with the fact that his mom suddenly decided to pack up and leave them.  David seems to be adjusting better than his dad who has taken to living in his boxer shorts and hasn't even packed up her belongings yet.  Then one day, David witnesses an Englishman in a white suit and wizard glasses outside his house.   Suddenly he is seeing the man all over the place, which leaves David contemplating whether the man is real or just a hallucination.  Winston doesn't seem to pose a threat to David, and he too is confused by why he has been hanging around David so much.  Winston feels like he needs David's help and eventually they come to the realization that David is to deliver a message for Winston.  Soon Winston is following David to school, showing up in his classes, and becoming involved with David's relationship issues with his classmates.  Can Winston help David to deliver his message and where exactly is he leading him? 

I'd describe the beginning of Might As Well Be Dead as leaving me in a quandary or perplexed.  Which I believe is part of the purpose of the story.  A few things are certain, David's mom has left, and his dad has been suffering.  David seems to have adjusted to the situation but at the same time seems numb to her suddenly leaving.  He maintains that he's fine whenever someone tries to probe him about his feelings, but there's an underlying lack of concern or separation from his actual feelings present.  He appears very cavalier and casual during conversations, but I certainly felt like there was more to what David wasn't saying.  Underneath the layers of confusion there appears to be a lonely and sad boy.  

David's main confidant is his best friend, Hector.  They've been meeting up at the same fire hydrant and walking to school together for over a year.  Their friendship appears to be strong, although Hector expresses a lot of concern over how David is doing in school.  He kind of hounds him about studying, but David isn't overly concerned about his grades or putting in the effort to do better.  Early on in the story the reader is also introduced to Minnie, a family friend of Hector's who is also going to be going to their school.  Minnie is everything David is not, she's outgoing, full of questions and determined that David will be her boyfriend.  Again, David goes along with her ideas and doesn't put up too many complaints.  He appears to enjoy Minnie's company but the whole girlfriend thing is new to him.  He's a little awkward and makes mistakes but isn't mean spirited toward her.  She truly likes David because she feels they have a lot in common, her parents are getting a divorce and she expresses a lot of empathy toward David's situation.  She's a refreshing distraction for him, especially when he feels like Hector is keeping something important from him.   

Then there's Winston, whose sudden arrival is not only confusing to David, but Winston is also puzzled.  For his part, David seems to go along with Winston's existence, because the alternative is that he's going a little crazy.  Their back-and-forth dialogue doesn't provide much illumination to the plot initially, and I think this is the kind of story that will take a patient reader.  One who doesn't need all the answers up front and is willing to have things unravel slowly.  One which will also have you contemplating Winston's motivations and existence and just what this message even means.  I'm not sure how I really feel about Winston, especially when he complicates David's life by people beginning to witness David seeming to talk to himself and his school counselor becomes involved.  While reading, I also felt slightly anxious.  Wondering where this story was going, what kind of resolution were we coming to.  How the story ended was also slightly unexpected, there didn't seem to be any hints that I picked up on that would've led me to believe that ending was going to happen.  Not to say that I didn't enjoy the story, I really did, just that I was surprised.   I don't want to give too much away so I don't think I can fully explain it, suffice to say that despite parts of the book appearing dark there is an underlying message of hope and a coming to an acceptance.  Other books from the author include Twerp and Finding the Worm.   ** A huge thank you to Simone Jung at Books Forward for the ARC paperback**

I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog HERE