Asteroid Impact

"Asteroid Impact" written by Douglas Henderson is a wonderful little book that explains, in not too technical terms, how and what happens when an asteroid impacts with the Earth. This book is written for readers that are from 6 to 9 years old, making the reading content along with the brilliant illustrations, a wonder for those of any age. "Asteroid Impact" draws on many well-respected theories from paleontology, physics, geology and astronomy making for very engaging reading. The book takes the reader back in time to about sixty-five million years ago, when the Earth was alive with the dinosaurs, reptiles and mammals, as we see an asteroid plunge through the Earth's atmosphere and slam directly into the Earth. Making a real mess for the life living at the time. The book has some really good painting art combining plants with dinosaurs in it, also of what happens when an astroid hits the Earth. The text is easy to read and makes for some very good reading... it's engaging and makes the reader think as to what can happen if an impact should occur of the same magnitude as the one that hit the Yucatan Peninsula. Just as the Earth's life has died out after the great extinction in the Mesozoic Era... the time the dinosaurs lived... began. Now, the Mesozoic was to end with another great extinction... an astroid impact would bring a catastrophe to the late Cretaceous world. I would highly recommed this book for the early reader from 7 years of age and on. This book tells the tale without too much of the technical jargon but conveys and makes the point abundantly clear as to what has happened. The typeface is easy to read and is larger for the younger readers as they read into the book they get to see what is happening by the picture art. "Asteroid Impact" has a question and answer section in the back of the book and an index and bibliography for the reader to do further research albeit rather limited. But, it gets the reader a start in the right direction, to satisfy some of the built up curiosity. "Asteroid Impact" is a solid 5 star book as it is engaging, interesting, informative, and educational.

Okay, so "creepy" and "scary" aren't usually words associated with childrens' books...but let's face it, the mass extinction at the end of the Cretaceous period wasn't exactly nice and tame either...When I first read this book, it gave me goosebumps...in fact, every time I read through it, it gives me goosebumps...the artwork is simply astounding. Henderson is the best of the best: you ARE there when you are looking at his paintings...and these paintings are nothing less than terrifying in their realism. I highly recomend this book to anyone and everyone. Buy one. Buy tons, because this is the closest you will ever get to experiencing the K/T Impact Event.

Douglas Henderson's newest children's book ASTEROID IMPACT is without doubt the best nonfiction dinosaur book for kids to hit the shelves since, well, Henderson's last book. Lavishly illustrated with 28 breathtaking full-color scenes (including the cover) and 6 color diagrammatic illustrations, the book sets up and depicts the scenario of an asteroid impact and its aftermath at the end of the Cretaceous Period, 65 million years ago.No one is better than Henderson when it comes to rendering dinosaurs and other Mesozoic denizens in their natural habitats, and this book contains what I consider to be some of his best paleolife work ever. Unsurprisingly, he also shows the same affinity and aptitude for astronomical art, presenting a series of awe-inspiring space scenes that simply boggle the mind with their artistry. He starts the 40-page book with several eye-poppingly beautiful scenes of life in Late Cretaceous North America and its environs just prior to the impact, then begins interspersing them with some of the best space art this side of Chesley Bonestell as he begins showing the asteroid's approach. When the mountain-sized rock finally comes hurtling through Earth's atmosphere and smashes into the ocean near what is now the Yucatán Peninsula, so precisely designed and brilliantly executed are the images that one has the overwhelming impression of viewing an actual documentary film of the event.The book's text is no less an accomplishment, concise and intelligently written, unlike the (sadly) greater majority of cliché-ridden dinosaur books for children that inhabit bookstore shelves, volumes that impart little of real substance and uncaringly continue to perpetuate outmoded ideas. This is Henderson's second outing as writer/artist (DINOSAUR TREE, published by Bradbury Press in 1994, was his first solo effort) and the time and care taken to ensure that this book is accurate and accessible is evident on every page. At no time does he insult his young audience by "dumbing down" his text, yet another common complaint concerning the current crop of dinosaur books aimed at kids. Henderson presents his data in clear, simple language without sacrificing any of the underlying scientific content. A rare feat, and one to be lauded in an age where science, our one true connection to the real world, is all-too-often relegated to the background or, worse, ignored entirely in favor of mindless "entertainment".Buy this book. Better yet, buy two. Give one to a child who'll appreciate it and keep the other for yourself.