Inside Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric C

Parker and Dewan, who collaborated on Inside the Whale and Other Animals , admirably reconstruct prehistoric animals ``from the inside out''--in other words, their work starts with a study of bones, turns to internal organs and moves on to ``fur and feathers.'' Originally published in the U.K. by Dorling Kindersley, the book bears that company's distinctive design: meticulous cross-section drawings of the creatures dominate each page, while an abundance of supplementary spot art magnifies details; much of the breezy yet informative text is presented in extended captions alongside the illustrations. A great deal of spark and humor help Parker and Dewan connect with their young audience. Small green dinosaurs play the roles of scientists as the processes of discovering, cataloguing and piecing together fossils are described. Catchy headlines (``Neck and Neck''; ``Slash and Gnash'') call attention to brief sections focusing on various parts of dinosaur anatomy and containing such engaging bits of dinosaur trivia as the speculation that the stegosaurus may have had a second brain located in its hip region. An excellent entry in a crowded field. Ages 7-10. (Apr.)