Book Reviews - Part 6

27 05, 2021

Win, Win, Win with Everything Dinosaur

By Mike|2023-05-01T18:12:29+01:00May 27th, 2021|Adobe CS5, Book Reviews, Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Main Page, Press Releases|17 Comments

Everything Dinosaur has another fantastic, prehistoric animal themed giveaway. We have a copy of the new book “Locked in Time” by palaeontologist Dr Dean Lomax with illustrations by Bob Nicholls and we are giving you the chance to win it.

Please note this competition has now closed.

Win a copy of the fantastic book "Locked in time" — *Your chance to win a copy of “Locked in Time” by Dean Lomax illustrated by Bob Nicholls. Simply, like our Facebook page and leave a comment naming the two dinosaurs featured on the front cover.*

Win a Copy of “Locked in Time”

The internationally recognised, award-winning palaeontologist Dean Lomax has spent a decade researching and writing “Locked in Time” which looks at prehistoric animal behaviour that can be discerned from extraordinary fossil evidence. This fantastic publication is illustrated by the very talented Bob Nicholls and Everything Dinosaur is giving you the chance to win a copy in our free to enter competition.

Visit the website of Dr Dean Lomax: British Palaeontologist Dr Dean Lomax.

All you have to do to enter is visit Everything Dinosaur on Facebook “Like” our page, then leave a comment on the competition post naming the two dinosaurs illustrated by Bob Nicholls that feature on the front cover.

Visit Everything Dinosaur on Facebook: Our Facebook Page.

Or, if you are not on Facebook, just leave a comment on this blog post to enter.

Please note this competition has now closed.

On our Facebook “Locked in Time” competition post leave a comment naming the two dinosaurs on the book’s front cover. For example, if you think that they are Triceratops and T. rex put these answers in a comment under the post.

Win a copy of "Locked in Time" — *Win a copy of “Locked in Time” in Everything Dinosaur’s free to enter competitio*n.

Don’t forget to name the two dinosaurs and to “Like” our Facebook Page: Everything Dinosaur on Facebook.

We will draw our lucky winner at random and the “Locked in Time” competition closes at midnight (BST) on Thursday 17th June. Good luck!

Please note this competition has now closed.

Terms and Conditions of the “Locked in Time” Dinosaur Book Competition

Automated entries are not permitted and will be excluded from the draw.

Only one entry per person.

The prize is non-transferable and no cash alternative will be offered.

The Everything Dinosaur “Locked in Time” runs until midnight Thursday 17th June 2021.

Winner will be notified by private message on Facebook or the Everything Dinosaur Blog.

Prize includes postage and packing.

For full terms and conditions contact: Email Everything Dinosaur.

Missed out on the competiton? Not to worry pick up a bargain at: Everything Dinosaur.

13 05, 2021

“Locked In Time” Unlocks the Lives of Long Extinct Animals

By Mike|2022-10-27T12:13:51+01:00May 13th, 2021|Book Reviews, Dinosaur Fans, Famous Figures, Main Page, Press Releases|0 Comments

Twelve thousand years ago two, adult bull, Columbian mammoths fought an epic duel on the Nebraskan plains. There was to be no winner, both animals died a slow and agonising death as their massive tusks became entangled and these behemoths could not separate. In 1962, surveyors discovered their tomb, the two combatants still locked together face to face. A remarkable fossil discovery providing an unprecedented insight into a single event that took place thousands of years ago. Dr Dean Lomax documents this astonishing fossil find in a new book that looks at fifty snapshots in deep time recording the lives and behaviours of animals etched into prehistory.

Locked in Time by Dean Lomax and illustrated by Bob Nicholls — Published by Columbia University Press “Locked in Time” examines 50 extraordinary fossils that provide a remarkable glimpse into the lives and behaviours of long extinct animals. Picture credit: The University of Manchester.

Stunning Illustrations by Bob Nicholls

Dr Dean Lomax (University of Manchester), examines some of the most extraordinary fossils ever found in five carefully crafted chapters. The book entitled “Locked in Time” provides an insight into the lives, activities and behaviours of long extinct creatures as revealed in a remarkable fossil record. Renowned palaeoartist Bob Nicholls provides the sumptuous illustrations that brings Dean’s narrative to life.

Fighting Columbian mammoths — One of the dramatic illustrations from the book. The pair of Columbian mammoths (Mammuthus columbi) that died face to face when their tusks became locked together during combat. Picture Credit: Bob Nicholls.

From Burrowing Giant Ground Sloths to Fighting Dinosaurs

From dinosaurs fighting to their deaths (as depicted on the front cover), the last ever journey of an ancient horseshoe crab, mating insects trapped in time, to giant burrowing ground sloths, this book takes readers on a global journey deep into our planet’s fascinating past. Aimed at the general reader, “Locked in Time” offers an unprecedented glimpse into the real-life behaviours of prehistoric animals.

Dr Dean Lomax at the Wyoming Dinosaur Centre — Author Dean Lomax sits next to a dinosaur limb bone at the Wyoming Dinosaur Centre. Dr Lomax helps to provide an insight to the lives of the real animals that their fossils represent. Picture Credit: University of Manchester.

Ten Years in the Making

“Locked in Time” takes the reader on a journey across continents and through millions of years of Earth’s history. It has been meticulously researched and Dr Lomax is a most eloquent and well-informed tour guide.

When asked what inspired him to compile such a fascinating insight into life in the past, Dean responded:

“I’ve spent more than a decade researching and writing Locked in Time, having been inspired by an incredible Jurassic fossil I first saw in 2008. My hope is that the book, and the fossils therein, will encourage you to look at fossils and prehistoric life with an entirely new perspective, helping to show that these once living, breathing animals were as real as you and me.”

Published by Columbia University Press and priced at around £25.00, this book is highly recommended.

Find “Locked in Time” here: The Website of Columbia University Press.

5 05, 2021

Latest Prehistoric Times Spring 2021 Reviewed

By Mike|2024-05-02T12:15:54+01:00May 5th, 2021|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Magazine Reviews, Main Page|0 Comments

The spring 2021 edition of “Prehistoric Times” magazine has arrived at Everything Dinosaur and team members have been busy perusing the pages, which as usual are jam-packed with amazing articles, fascinating features and lots of reader-submitted artwork. The front cover for issue 137 was provided by Glen McIntosh, an artist and animator who has worked on the “Jurassic Park” and “Jurassic World” film franchises.

The cover art features a Gorgosaurus battling an Einiosaurus and another awesome tyrannosaur, one that was contemporaneous with G. libratus – Daspletosaurus, is discussed by Phil Hore and palaeontologist Jordan C. Mallon who looks at this Late Cretaceous predator from the viewpoint of the Canadian Museum of Nature. There are some amazing Daspletosaurus drawings, the artwork by Aaron Natera, Cody Zaiser and Marcus Burkhardt are our personal favourites.

Prehistoric Times Front Cover Spring 2021 — *The front cover image of the latest “Prehistoric Times” magazine was created by Glen McIntosh. It features an Einiosaurus battling a Gorgosaurus.*

Superb Sauropods

John Lavas continues to tell the story of the influential Czech artist Zdeněk Burian with the second part of his feature on the Sauropoda. The article includes some stunning Brontosaurus, Brachiosaurus and Diplodocus illustrations. A Cetiosaurus even makes an appearance.

Burian's famous Brachiosaurus brancai painting. — *Giant Dinosaurs Dwelling in Swamps! The famous Burian Brachiosaurus painting which was completed in 1941.*

The “Scowl” of Hypsilophodon

Tracy Lee Ford explains how the position of the palpebral (a small bony extension) in relation to the orbit (eye socket) of the ornithopod Hypsilophodon would have given this dinosaur a permanent scowl. He provides detailed drawings of the triangular-shaped skull and suggests how it should be fleshed out when creating a life reconstruction. There is even a mention of the iconic Neave Parker illustration of a tree-living hypsilophodont.

Hypsilophodon in a Tree — *Hypsilophodon was once thought to have been arboreal. Tracy Lee Ford’s article provides information on how to illustrate this small ornithopod.*

The UK’s Mike Howgate contributes two articles, the first detailing the work of naturalist Edward Kay Robinson to provide three-dimensional images of exhibits on display at the British Museum (now the Natural History Museum), at the beginning of the 20th century. The second, related article, looks at the commissioning of Cenozoic mammal models and the work of Vernon Edwards. These articles provide a sense of how museums have changed and how the exhibits within them have changed also.

Father and son team, Tony and James Pinto have been working on a television documentary entitled “Why Dinosaurs?”, it examines the public’s fascination for the Dinosauria, a challenging project even without the extra problems caused due to the global pandemic. Magazine editor Mike Fredericks provides book reviews including a new biography of Mary Anning “Dinosaur Lady: The Daring Discoveries of Mary Anning, the First Palaeontologist”, a title that emphasises how our fascination with dinosaurs seems to overshadow research into marine reptiles and the Pterosauria.

The “Paleonews” section covers a broad range of topics from how Parasaurolophus evolved fancy headgear, to titanosaur discoveries and agile Permian predators (Anteosaurus).

With new prehistoric animal model information and the ever-reliable Randy Knol providing insight on how gamers use models and replicas within their genre, there is certainly a lot to praise about this latest issue.

To learn more about “Prehistoric Times” magazine and to subscribe: Subscribe to “Prehistoric Times” Magazine.

13 04, 2021

Latest Prehistoric Times Magazine a Sneak Peek

By Mike|2024-05-02T12:16:31+01:00April 13th, 2021|Adobe CS5, Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Drawings, Dinosaur Fans, Magazine Reviews, Main Page|1 Comment

Here is a sneaky peek at the forthcoming edition of “Prehistoric Times” magazine, the quarterly publication aimed at fans of prehistoric animals, model collecting and artwork depicting dinosaurs and other long extinct creatures. This stunning illustration of interspecific combat within the Dinosauria will adorn the front cover of issue 137 (spring 2021).

“Prehistoric Times” Magazine

Editor Mike Fredericks, who sent Everything Dinosaur the front cover image says that issue 137 is going to be jam-packed with all the articles, artwork and features that makes this publication so popular.

Mike commented:

“We have an interview with Glen McIntosh one of the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World animators who is also a great artist who designed the Indominus rex, plus much more.”

With the latest instalment of the “Jurassic Park/Jurassic World” movie franchise due to hit cinemas shortly, the timing of this interview could not have been better.

Look out for a special feature on the Late Cretaceous North American tyrannosaur Daspletosaurus, an apex predator known from Montana and Alberta.

Drawing of Daspletosaurus. — Daspletosaurus – a large tyrannosaur present in the Late Cretaceous ecosystem of North America. Two species have been assigned to this genus, but possibly two more might be added in the near future as more scientific papers are published.

Subscribe to Prehistoric Times

Team members at Everything Dinosaur recommend that blog readers subscribe to “Prehistoric Times”. Published four times a year, this is a fantastic magazine for followers of palaeoart, collectors of dinosaur models and for the general reader with an interest in prehistoric life.

To subscribe to “Prehistoric Times” magazine: Subscribe to “Prehistoric Times” magazine.

11 04, 2021

“The Plesiosaur’s Neck” – A New Book

By Mike|2023-11-23T10:32:17+00:00April 11th, 2021|Adobe CS5, Book Reviews, Dinosaur Fans, Early Years Foundation Reception, Key Stage 1/2, Main Page, Teaching|0 Comments

“The Plesiosaur’s Neck” by Dr Adam S. Smith and Jonathan Emmett with illustrations by Adam Larkum.

Expert on the Plesiosauria, Dr Adam S. Smith (Curator of Natural Sciences at the Nottingham Natural History Museum at Wollaton Hall, Nottinghamshire), has teamed up with award-winning children’s author Jonathan Emmett to create a delightful tale explaining how some prehistoric marine reptiles developed long necks.

Poppy is an Albertonectes, a plesiosaur named after the Canadian province of Alberta, where fossils of this giant with a seven-metre-long neck have been found, but what was that extremely long neck used for?

Poppy the Plesiosaur

Did Poppy use her enormous neck to help keep herself free of parasites? Or was she the equivalent of an electric eel generating electricity to shock any unsuspecting fish that happened to swim too close? In “The Plesiosaur’s Neck”, budding young palaeontologists get the opportunity to explore these entertaining hypotheses in a plesiosaur-themed prehistoric puzzle.

At more than eleven metres long, Albertonectes was a giant. The huge neck made up almost two-thirds of the animal’s entire body length and this delightful book examines some of the ideas that palaeontologists have proposed to explain this peculiar, plesiosaur body plan.

Checking over an exhibit. — Dr Adam Smith examining a cast of dinosaur vertebrae for an exhibition at Wollaton Hall. The talented Curator of Natural Sciences at the Nottingham Natural History Museum has helped to write a children’s book entitled “The Plesiosaur’s Neck”.

Prehistoric Puns

A mixture of playful, rhyming text and prehistoric puns guides the reader through the story. Members of the Mollusca have a prominent role to play with Alfie the ammonite and Bella the belemnite chiming in with cheeky comments whilst Dr Adam Smith ensures a smorgasbord of facts and information about life in the sea during the time of the dinosaurs. The book will entertain and inform children from 5 years and upwards in equal measure.

Beautifully illustrated by Adam Larkum, a graduate of the Edinburgh College of Art, “The Plesiosaur’s Neck” combines colourful characters with a cornucopia of fun facts. It is an entertaining exploration of a genuine palaeontological puzzle focused on a plesiosaur with an astonishing seventy-six bones in its neck.

Published in May 2021

“The Plesiosaurs Neck” ISBN number 9781912979424 is due to be published on the 6th of May (2021), by Uclan Publishing. Priced at £7.99 it can be purchased here: Purchase “The Plesiosaur’s Neck”.

4 03, 2021

A Dinosaur Book Recommendation for World Book Day

By Mike|2022-10-27T13:32:54+01:00March 4th, 2021|Adobe CS5, Book Reviews, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page|0 Comments

As today (4th March 2021), is recognised in many countries as World Book Day, team members at Everything Dinosaur have been busy posting up on social media book recommendations for those readers interested in the Dinosauria and other archosaurs.

“The Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs – The Sauropods”

Crammed with Fascinating Dinosaur Facts

The Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs, the sauropod edition, is packed full of fascinating information and it has been laid out in an easy to follow format with copious illustrations and lots of diagrams to help elucidate the text.

Packed with Super Sauropod Facts and Figures

The Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs - The Sauropods is crammed full of facts. — *Lots of fascinating facts about the sauropods inside the book.*

Written by Rubén Molina-Pérez and Asier Larramendi, the book documents the rise of the long-necked giants from their much smaller ancestral forms, classifies and characterises them and even examines their impact on modern culture. From viewing them as slow and sluggish reptiles inevitably doomed to extinction, the authors document the fossil evidence that shows how well-adapted these dinosaurs were to their environment.

How we View Sauropods Has Changed

The History and Cultural Significance of Sauropods — How society views the sauropods has changed. From viewing them as amphibious, living in lakes and rivers, to recognising them as land animals no longer considered slow, clumsy creatures that were doomed to extinction.

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“This is a stunning and comprehensive guide to the Sauropodomorpha aimed at dinosaur enthusiasts. Expect lots of information about famous dinosaurs such as Brachiosaurus, Apatosaurus and Mamenchisaurus plus lots of insights into their lives and behaviours.”

Amazing Dinosaur Illustrations

Pampadromeus - perhaps the smallest known Sauropodomorpha — Pampadromaeus – perhaps the smallest known sauropodomorph. The book provides plenty of information on some of the less well-known dinosaurs such as the basal sauropodomorph Pampadromaeus barberenai – regarded as one of the smallest members sub-order of the Dinosauria.

Documenting the Dinosauria

Authors Rubén Molina-Pérez and Asier Larramendi demonstrate their extensive knowledge by providing information often omitted from other books about long-necked dinosaurs. For example, as well as looking at dinosaur diets, the writers examine related facets such as sauropod bite forces.

The Book Examines the Bite Forces of Sauropods such as Diplodocus

Diplodocus Bite Force — *The book provides lots of fascinating information on the sauropods such as details of estimated bite force by genera.*

Highly Recommended

This is a one-of-a-kind compendium that covers all the known sauropod species at the time of publication, plus it provides details on one or two that have yet to be formally described.

For dinosaur fans, this book is highly recommended.

To read our comprehensive review of the sister volume that documents the Theropoda: The Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs – the Theropods.

29 01, 2021

New Prehistoric Times Issue 136 Reviewed

By Mike|2023-11-23T14:21:56+00:00January 29th, 2021|Dinosaur Fans, Magazine Reviews, Main Page|0 Comments

Prehistoric Times Magazine Issue 136 (Winter 2021) Reviewed

Time to be cheered up by the arrival of the latest edition of “Prehistoric Times” magazine, the quarterly journal for fans of dinosaur models, prehistoric themed art and collectibles.

Adorning the front cover of issue 136 is a spectacular illustration of Deinonychus (D. antirrhopus) by the talented wildlife illustrator and palaeoartist Esther van Hulsen. The close-up view of the snout of this theropod on the front cover gives the viewer the opportunity to appreciate the details that the artist adds to her illustrations. Inside the magazine further evidence is provided with a series or artworks created by Esther van Hulsen imagining the life story of Ida the Darwinius (D. maxillae) from the Messel bituminous shales.

Can you spot the scratches on the muzzle of this theropod?

The Front Cover of “Prehistoric Times” Issue 136 – Deinonychus antirrhopus

The front cover of “Prehistoric Times” magazine issue 136.

Picture credit: Mike Fredericks

The Forgotten Dinosaur Art of Robert T. Bakker

Some of the dynamic dinosaur illustrations of Dr Robert “Bob” Bakker, who was a student of Dr John Ostrom, who named and described Deinonychus, are also featured in this magazine. Canadian palaeontologists Darren Tanke and Jordan Mallon provide an insightful guide to these influential artworks that challenged the long held assumption that the Dinosauria were slow and sluggish animals. Randy Knol also demonstrates how our views about dinosaurs have changed by looking at some the latest models of Spinosaurus, a theropod that has been completely revised and is now regarded as a semi-aquatic predator.

The Limited Edition Papo Spinosaurus Model from 2019 Features in the Spinosaurus Model Review

Papo Spinosaurus (limited edition) in stock at Everything Dinosaur.

Everything Dinosaur stocks the limited edition Papo Spinosaurus dinosaur model. This 2019 Papo dinosaur model is featured in an article that looks how Spinosaurus models have changed over time.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The Sauropods

John Lavas continues an exploration of the work of Zdeněk Burian and focuses on his illustrations of sauropods. The author frames the illustrations produced by the ground-breaking Czech artist by summarising the early research into these ground-shaking leviathans. Burian painted a total of five sauropod genera and although the accepted view at the time was that these huge animals were semi-aquatic, Burian chose to depict the main subject of the artwork on terra firma. The enabled him to reveal the shape of the dinosaur’s body more clearly.

Diplodocus carnegii by Zdeněk Burian (Depicting the Fauna and Flora of the Morrison Formation of the United States of America)

Diplodocus life reconstruction by Burian painted in 1952.

An illustration of Diplodocus (D. carnegii) by Burian.

Picture credit: Zdeněk Burian

Phil Hore provides the lowdown on the bizarre Longisquama complete with superb reader submitted drawings by Cody Zaiser, Mike Laudry and Jeff Slack. He also discusses the armoured dinosaur Sauropelta and this article features lots of amazing armoured dinosaur artwork too.

We were particularly impressed with the sleeping Sauropelta image submitted by Marcus Burkhardt. Tracey Lee Ford chimes in, continuing the Thyreophora theme by looking at how to draw Ankylosaurus and if you wanted to know what Scottish scientist and writer Dougal Dixon did in lockdown to keep himself busy, then read the double page spread that starts on page 28.

Recent news stories featuring fossil discoveries are covered in the “Paleonews” section, look out for an update on the hunting strategy of Deinonychus and a stark revision of Dilophosaurus. As always “Prehistoric Times” is crammed full of fascinating stories, artwork and features.

To subscribe to this quarterly magazine: Subscribe to Prehistoric Times.

22 12, 2020

The Latest Prehistoric Times Issue 136 Sneak Peek

By Mike|2024-02-29T07:42:26+00:00December 22nd, 2020|Dinosaur Fans, Magazine Reviews, Main Page|1 Comment

Prehistoric Times Issue 136 Sneak Peek

The next cover of “Prehistoric Times”, the quarterly magazine for dinosaur fans and prehistoric animal model collectors, will feature a stunning illustration of the fearsome Deinonychus (D. antirrhopus). This magnificent illustration of a deadly dromaeosaurid was created by the very talented Dutch artist Esther van Hulsen.

The Front Cover of the Forthcoming “Prehistoric Times” – Issue 136

Picture credit: Mike Fredericks

Esther van Hulsen

Esther does not focus solely on illustrating dinosaurs, although she has collaborated on a number of palaeontology projects. She also illustrates living animals capturing their beauty in a variety of traditional media such as acrylics and water colours.

Inside issue 136, Esther discusses her work on a primitive primate. The article will feature many more examples of her art.

John Lavas’s long-running biography of Zdenek Burian provides a segue linking one of the founding fathers of palaeoart to Esther, one of a new generation of exciting illustrators. John Lavas focuses on Burian’s sauropods.

Phil Hore provides the low down on the low slung thyreophoran Sauropelta and tells the tale of the bizarre Longisquama (L. insignis) that was named and scientifically described fifty years ago.

Dinosaur Models

Scottish scientist and science writer Dougal Dixon explains all about the dinosaur models he has created during lockdown and Canada is represented by palaeontologists Darren Tanke and Jordan Mallon who discuss the early illustrations of the eminent and highly influential Robert Bakker.

Randy Knol highlights spinosaurs and the various models that have been produced to represent this unusual family of theropods, whilst fellow American Tracy Ford digs into the dermal armour of Ankylosaurus, with lots of beautiful, armoured dinosaur illustrations too.

For dinosaur models and figures: Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animal Models.

Relax with the Next Edition of “Prehistoric Times”

The first edition of "Prehistoric Times". — *An early subscriber to “Prehistoric Times”. The latest issue (136), will be sent out to subscribers in the near future.*

“Prehistoric Times” Magazine

The next edition of “Prehistoric Times” examines the influence of the 1960 science-fiction film “Dinosaurus”, delves into dinosaur collectibles from Spain and Dave Bengel, a good friend of the editor Mike Fredericks, takes you through the building of a “Thunderbird” replica sculpted by Joe Laudati.

As always, the magazine will be jam-packed with news about fossil finds, new model introductions and lots and lots of reader submitted artwork. Don’t forget to peruse the interview with Gary Gerani, who provides the inside story of the “Dinosaurs Attack!” trading card set.

Issue 136 of “Prehistoric Times” will be on its way to subscribers very soon, what a great way to kick-off the new year!

To subscribe to “Prehistoric Times”: Prehistoric Times for the Dinosaur Fan and Collector.

18 12, 2020

Unique Interactive “I-Book” Provides Readers with Unprecedented Access to Archaeological Sites

By Mike|2024-02-29T07:44:42+00:00December 18th, 2020|Book Reviews, Educational Activities, Main Page, Photos, Teaching|0 Comments

Interactive “I-Book” Provides Readers with Unprecedented Access to Archaeological Sites

An interactive ‘”I-Book” which allows users to virtually walk around otherwise inaccessible historical sites has been shortlisted as a finalist in a major award. Entitled “The Shetland in the Iron Age”, this Interactive “I-Book” gives anyone a VIP pass to three distant archaeological sites and has been highly commended in an industry awards ceremony.

Interactive “I-Book”

The concept of providing virtual access to sites of great historical significance was developed by Archaeological and Forensic Sciences PhD student Li Sou from the University of Bradford. The “I-Book” offers a no-holds barred tour of three “broch”, Iron Age drystone hollow-walled structures found in the Shetland Islands, Scotland. The technology is so simple to use, that anyone aged nine or over can use the “I-Book” and visit relatively remote and inaccessible sites.

University of Bradford Student Li Sou Demonstrates the “I-Book”

Archaeological and Forensic Sciences PhD student Li Sou from the University of Bradford. — *Archaeological and Forensic Sciences PhD student Li Sou from the University of Bradford demonstrates the new “I-Book”.*

Picture credit: University of Bradford

The “I-Book” provides 360° virtual maps of the interiors that users can explore. Virtual visitors can wander around their inner workings, exploring different buildings, accessing staircases and corridors, as though they were there in the Shetlands themselves.

Providing Lots of Associated Information and Data

The cleverly designed “I-Book” includes clickable information hotspots that link to a wealth of associated data, including historic photographs and videos from experts in the field. The concept was shortlisted in the Association for Learning Technologists Awards and the “I-Book” was highly commended. The judges describing it as an “incredibly varied, engaging and accessible digital educational resource.”

Historic Environment Scotland have been developing this technology for use at other historic properties in their care and these will launch in 2021, both on site and freely downloadable online.

An Overhead Photograph of a Broch

Picture credit: University of Bradford

The judging panel stated that the project:

“Has excelled in developing a range of versatile digital assets to aid in learning about complicated archaeological and academic themes.”

Commenting after the prestigious award ceremony, student Li Sou exclaimed:

“This is the culmination of a six-month project and brochs are complicated archaeological sites to understand and are not physically accessible to everyone. The I-Book format is not very well known in the heritage sector, so the project was an excellent opportunity to design a resource that gives readers a chance to explore the sites as if they were there in real life, with integrated accessibility features to make them accessible to all.”

A Useful Resource in the Midst of a Global Pandemic

The use of technology such as this has significant implications for the support of archaeology and general education in the midst of a global pandemic. The emergence and spread of COVID-19 has curtailed travel and restricted the opening times for heritage monuments. “I-Books” such as this permit sites that might be closed to the public and otherwise difficult to reach due to the need to restrict travel or to self-isolate, to still be accessible to students, archaeologists and the general public.

“I-Book” Development Team Photo (in an Age of Social Distancing)

Team photo of all those involved in the project — *Team photo of all those involved in the “I-Book” project.*

Picture dredit: University of Bradford

The interactive “I-Book” entitled “The Shetland in the Iron Age” was developed in collaboration with the Shetland Amenity Trust with a working group from Historic Environment Scotland, along with the co-operation and assistance of the Visualising Heritage group within the School of Archaeological and Forensic Sciences, University of Bradford.

Implicatioms for Palaeontology Departments

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented that this type of technology has applications within the Earth sciences. For example, interactive “I-Books” could be provided to help students and researchers virtually visit remote dig sites and fossil quarries. It could also be used in other research areas such as allowing observations of fossil collections and other material that would otherwise be very difficult to access.

Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from the University of Bradford in the compilation of this article.

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

10 11, 2020

Win with Everything Dinosaur in a Free to Enter Competition

By Mike|2024-03-19T12:53:52+00:00November 10th, 2020|Adobe CS5, Book Reviews, Dinosaur Fans, Educational Activities, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Main Page, Press Releases|0 Comments

Competition Time at Everything Dinosaur

Everything Dinosaur has another super, prehistoric animal themed giveaway. We have a copy of the brand new book by the talented palaeontologist Dr Dean Lomax entitled “Prehistoric Pets” and we are giving you the chance to win it.

A Fabulous Book Competition

Please note this competition is now closed.

Win a Copy of “Prehistoric Pets” with Everything Dinosaur

Picture credit: Templar Books/Everything Dinosaur

“Prehistoric Pets”

The internationally recognised, award-winning palaeontologist Dean Lomax takes a close look at some of our nation’s favourite animals and traces their ancestry back through deep time to explain their origins. Crammed full of fun facts, this is an excellent book for the younger readers, it is beautifully illustrated and it has pop-ups too!

Visit the website of Dr Dean Lomax: Dr Dean Lomax – British Palaeontologist.

“Prehistoric Pets” is an ideal Christmas gift and best of all you can win a copy courtesy of Everything Dinosaur!

Win a Copy of “Prehistoric Pets” in our Competition

All you have to do is “Like” Everything Dinosaur’s FACEBOOK page, then comment on our dinosaur book competition post suggesting a name for the superb Sabre-tooth cat that features on the front cover. The Sabre-tooth is illustrated by Mike Love but he/she needs a name!

Don’t Forget to Suggest a Name and to “Like” our Facebook Page

Find Everything Dinosaur’s Facebook page here: Everything Dinosaur on Facebook.

We will draw our lucky winner at random and the “Prehistoric Pets” competition closes at midnight (GMT) on Tuesday 24th November. Good luck!

To view Everything Dinosaur’s range of superb prehistoric animal and dinosaur themed gifts visit: Everything Dinosaur.

Win a Copy of “Prehistoric Pets” in our Free to Enter Prize Draw Competition

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

You can always leave a comment on this blog post and we will enter you into our free prize draw.

Please note this competition is now closed.

Terms and Conditions of the Name the Sabre-tooth “Prehistoric Pets” Competition

Automated entries are not permitted and will be excluded from the draw.

Only one entry per person.

The prize is non-transferable and no cash alternative will be offered.

The Everything Dinosaur name the Sabre-tooth cat competition runs until midnight Tuesday 24th November 2020.

Winner will be notified by private message on Facebook.

Prize includes postage and packing.

For full terms and conditions contact: Contact Everything Dinosaur.

“Prehistoric Pets” Dives into the Evolution of the Goldfish

A goldfish from the book "Prehistoric Pets". — *Did you know that goldfish are social creatures and the evolutionary history of fish dates back more than 500 million years?*

Picture credit: Templar Books/Everything Dinosaur

To read Everything Dinosaur’s review of “Prehistoric Pets”: Everything Dinosaur Reviews “Prehistoric Pets” by Dr Dean Lomax (illustrated by Mike Love).

Please note this competition is now closed.