What did dinosaurs really look like? Catherine Thimmesh explores that question in an intriguing look at the work of paleoartists, who base their paintings, drawings, sculptures, and other visual renderings of dinosaurs first and foremost on scientific evidence. The bones, it turns out, are the easy part. What was on top of them? Skin? Scales? Feathers? Paleoartists, some of them scientists themselves, start with dinosaur bones and other fossilized evidence, but that's only the beginning of their research. To determine what dinosaurs looked like they delve into many branches of paleoscience to learn as much as they can about the creature, its habitat, and diet. They look for clues in birds and reptiles, too-the closest living relatives of the dinosaurs. But they still must use their imaginations to extend what is known until the realm of the unknown through educated guesswork. Comments from a number of different paleoartists are part of the discussion in this fascinating, handsomely designed volume in which almost every page spread features a full-page image of their work. (Ages 10-13)