New Titles

1) Bakker, Robert T. and Luis V. Rey. The Big Golden Book of Dinosaurs. 2013. Golden Books. Hardbound: 64 pages. Price: $16.99 U.S.

SUMMARY: Renowned paleontologist Robert T. Bakker and award-winning paleoartist Luis V. Rey combine forces in this oversized picture book about the evolution of dinosaurs. From the conquest of land by dino ancestor Acanthostega during the Devonian Period, through the mass die-off of dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous Period, Bakker and Rey take readers on a safari through time while paying subtle homage to the 1960 Giant Golden Book Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Reptiles that inspired them both as young dinophiles. With stops along the way to look at monster bugs, ferocious fin-backs, fluffy dinosaurs, sea monsters and the 12-year-old girl who discovered them, dinosaur orchestras, tickling tyrannosaurs, and much, much more, this is a journey readers will never forget. It's a perfect gift for young dinosaur lovers—as well as adult fans of Dr. Bakker and Luis Rey!

RECOMMENDATION: For ages 3-7. Children will enjoy this book!

2) Li, Yong Ding, Lim Kim Chuah and Lee Tiah Khee. A Naturalist's Guide to the Birds of Singapore. 2013. John Beaufoy Publishing. Paperback: 176 pages. Price: $17.95 U.S.

SUMMARY: This easy-to-use identification guide to the 280 bird species most commonly seen in Singapore is perfect for resident and visitor alike. High quality photographs from Singapore's top nature photographers are accompanied by detailed species descriptions which include nomenclature, size, distribution, habits and habitat. The user-friendly introduction covers geography and climate, vegetation, opportunities for naturalists and the main sites for viewing the listed species. Also included is an all-important checklist of all of the birds of Singapore encompassing, for each species, its common and scientific name, IUCN status as at 2011.

RECOMMENDATION: A good introduction to the birds of the region.