The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins

Title: The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins

Author: Kerley, Barbara

Illustrator: Selznick, Brian

Publish and Date: Scholastic Press, 2001

Genre: Biography

Age Range: 2^nd-5^th

^{2002 Caldecott Honor Book}

Summary:

Can you imagine a time when no one knew what a dinosaur looked like? Until the year 1854 that was exactly the case! Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins was a pioneer in the study of dinosaurs. He discovered his love of drawing and creating at a young age. He knew that he especially loved creating model animals, and when he became an adult he dedicated his life to researching and creating life size dinosaurs. He worked along a scientist, Richard Owen who actually coined the word “dinosaur”, to create perfect models. In 1853, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert asked him to create several dinosaurs to be displayed in England's new art and science museum, the Crystal Palace. His designs not only impressed the Queen but England’s leading scientists as well. In 1854 the Crystal Palace at Sydenham Park opened and the world was finally able to say, “So this is a dinosaur!” Waterhouse’s accomplishments did not end there however. For fourteen years he designed educational posters, created small models anyone could buy, held lectures, and created books to illustrate. And finally in 1868, Waterhouse was asked to bring his dinosaurs to America. In New York City he lectured and spoke about dinosaurs, evolution, and even dragons. Waterhouse was invited by Central Park to create a new display of dinosaurs to be housed in the Paleozoic Museum. Waterhouse worked for two years preparing new dinosaurs; he even created the first complete dinosaur skeleton (a hadrosaurus) to present to the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia. Unfortunately for Waterhouse and us, disaster struck. A corrupt politician, William “Boss” Tweed, said that this museum was a waste of money and stopped work on the museum. He even plotted to destroy all of Waterhouse’s dinosaurs. Waterhouse left New York disappointed, but still determined to give America dinosaurs. He created hadrosaurs for Princeton University in New Jersey and the Smithsonian institute In Washington, D.C. He also created another first, a series of paintings showing the development of life on earth, including dinosaurs. Waterhouse finally returned to London many years later to learn that thirty new iguanodon skeletons had been discovered. He lived his last days reflecting on his work and wondering what other surprises scientists would discover as they searched for dinosaurs.

Response:

This was such an exciting and informative book. I had actually never heard of Waterhouse Hawkins before I read this picture book. Waterhouse is such a neat man. He is one of the reasons we know what dinosaurs look like today. Adults and children alike are sure to label him “cool”! This book teaches us not only about the events of Waterhouse Hawkins’s life, but also about his choices and attitudes. The first attribute that I want to point out is that Waterhouse was a very brave man. No one had ever attempted to do what he was now pursuing; he was the very first. He had fears that he would be ridiculed and that he would not be accepted by the scientific community. He did not let his fears control him however. He worked hard, did the research, and planned a party to convince these scientists that his work was worthy of acceptance. One of my favorite stories from the book is the party scene. Waterhouse plans an elaborate party to introduce his dinosaurs to the leading scientists of England. He builds a platform, orders a tent, and hires caterers. On the night of the party all of the scientists are shocked and thrilled to learn that they will be eating out of one of Hawkins’s dinosaurs, the iguanodon. . (The front and back endpapers of the book show parts of Waterhouse’s original party invitation.) Hawkins’s creativity still amazes me. Another noteworthy quality of Waterhouse is his persistence. It was such a disappointment to me to learn that “Boss” Tweed not only shut down work on an important museum, but that he also destroyed years of Waterhouse Hawkins’s work. Waterhouse could have quit and said that life is not fair, but he pushed through his disappointment and anger and gave America the dinosaurs that he promised he would. This man is someone any child or adult could hold up as an example in their lives. One of the most vital parts of this book is the illustrations. In a picture book biography the words of the narrator are limited. What the writer can’t fit into the book though words, the picture fill in through imagination. The illustrations throughout The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins are beautifully done. They are based on Waterhouse’s own journal, his dinosaur creations at Syndenham, and the original invitation to the iguanodon dinner. And if all the wonderful words and beautiful illustrations of this book don’t draw you in, just remember dinosaurs are such a cool thing to study. Even I, at twenty years old, am still fascinated with dinosaurs. When I took a trip to New York City this Christmas I made sure to stop and take a look at all the dinosaur skeletons housed in American Museum of Natural History. They have so many fascinating ones! Here is one of my favorite pictures I took on the trip!

Teaching Ideas:
First and foremost I need to point the phenomenal author and illustrator’s notes located in the back of the book. Please read these! They offer so much insight into the history surrounding the book and the creative process it took to create the book. Also be sure to point out exactly how Waterhouse created his dinosaurs. It's fascinating and laid out very clearly in the book! Just look for the page that looks like this:

I cannot even begin to list all the creative ways in which you could use this book. I would definitely have this book available for any biography assignments or projects. You should also use this book anytime that you are talking about dinosaurs. You could also incorporate it into a history lesson on England and Queen Victoria. A great idea would be to let your children write what it would have been like to live back in a time when dinosaurs basically did not exist. This thought process could lead to some very creative journal entries. Here is another great teaching idea that I found online: http://www.readwritethink.org/calendar/calendar_day.asp?id=254.