The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins ia a biographacal picture book about the career and passions of Bejamin Waterhouse Hawkins. Waterhouse was a British sculptor and artist in the 1880s, who teamed up with Richard Owen to create the first life-size models of dinosaurs known to exist at that time. Waterhouse's successes and trials are beautifully presented in this three part picture book.
I really enjoyed this book, though I'll admit that unlike so many students, I find dinosaurs a bit dry for reading. This book would be ideal for learning new vocabulary, learning about and how to write biographies, or as a literature connection during a science unit. The pictures of Waterhouse- who looks a bit like a Victorian Willy Wonka in this book- and his fantastic, huge dinosaurs would be enough for even the finickiest reader to pick up this book. I did notice that this book was quite long for a picture book, and had alot of challenging vocabulary. It would be a picture book that I imagine would be more suited to fifth or even sixth grade students, and not a book that is ideal for a read-aloud. However, if you've got some GT students in your room crazy about science, this book might be the welcome challenge they're craving too.
I mentioned earlier that I found dinosaurs to be a bit, forgive me, boring. I know that many people, and children especially, find the thought of huge lizards roaming the earth ages ago fascinating and exciting, but I never have. Perhaps growing up on the opposing side of a sibling rivalry with a brother who loved them may have something to do with it. I chose this book at the library without having planned to, however, due to it's beautiful pictures and eloquent text. I knew that even though the book might focus on dusty lizards for a bit, the story also included Waterhouse's personal triumphs and defeats, a political tussle with Boss Tweed, and some really breathtaking images. I liked this book despite a less than ideal choice of content for me.
I liked this book better than most historical biographies I've read. Even though many children's biographies are beautifully illustrated, most of them tend to be so dry that students pick them up, leaf through for a couple of seconds, see daunting paragraphs of technical, historical explanation, and set them back down. The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins was very informative and educational, but managed to straddle the line between a biography and an exciting story. The reader finds themselves rooting for Waterhouse as he gains popularity, and is equally disappointed when Boss Tweed crushes his hopes for a Paleozoic Museum in the States. This book manages to be a fun biography, of which there are so few.
I admit that I knew absolutely nothing about Waterhouse Hawkins before reading this book. The author was wonderful about explaining the complex process of building an entire dinosaur from just one bone in a way that was very easy to understand. Also, despite having spent several months in London last summer, didn't know that there was a dinosaur garden in Crystal Park! I was very surprised to learn that, and also a bit disappointed that I didn't have an opportunity to visit when I was there. Unfortunately, my only experience with life-size models of dinosaurs remains a visit to the very budget-conscious Dinosaur World in Cave City. :)
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