Sabertooth

by Patrick O'Brien

Long ago there lived big cats whose giant teeth make today’s cats look sabertooth! Those teeth helped it compete with other predators for a meal of mammoth—or even a tasty human. Then, ten thousand years ago, every last sabertooth disappeared. With only ancient bones—and massive teeth—to guide them, scientists are learning amazing facts about these enormous prehistoric cats. Patrick O’Brien’s captivating illustrations, exciting facts, and kidfriendly, comics-inspired design will thrill young adventurers.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Palaeontology, Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published June 24, 2008

About the author

Patrick O'Brien has been a full-time illustrator and artist since 1985. His clients have included National Geographic, The Discovery Channel, and the Smithsonian. His art has appeared in magazines and newspapers, on posters and greeting cards, and even on billboards.

Patrick is the author and illustrator of twelve picture books for children. These are mostly non-fiction books about things like knights, pirates, ships, and dinosaurs, although he has done a couple of science-ficition books about dinosaurs in space.

In 2003 Patrick began creating oil paintings of maritime scenes. In 2010 the U.S. Naval Academy Museum mounted an exhibition featuring twenty-eight of his maritime paintings. In 2012, The National Maritime Historical Society awarded O’Brien with their Distinguished Service Award for his body of artwork. See www.PatrickOBrienStudio.com

Patrick teaches part-time in the illustration department at The Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, MD.

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

they have grooves in their skull to allow for giant teeth

almost half of tooth is inside skull

they have to open their jaws hella wide to use teefers and the illustrations still made it look like they didn't open wide enough

there are many species and only two overlap with early humans

[EJLJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative and interesting for kids and adults.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish the book included a pronunciation guide. Overall this was ok my kiddo enjoyed it

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was a kid, I wanted to learn everything I could about the Sabertooth Tiger. This book would have been my go-to book. See the cousins of Sabertooth cats, the marsupial version of a Sabertooth and illustrations of strange animals that Ice Age cats might make into a meal. With a life-size illustration of a Sabertooth's canine you'll see how wimpy the modern tiger's canine looks in comparison.

Side note: This book turned a reluctant reader into a voracious one! A boy at work who was in foster care hadn't properly learned to read. His new foster mom borrowed this book from the library & he became completely absorbed. It was the 1st book he read on his own from cover to cover and it got him going on a reading kick.

[Alexandria Shafer]

A very descriptive and visual book. Definitely suited for older children probably in third grade. I like that it has a lot of pictures and diagrams to show and teach about the animals. Good book for teaching science topics.

[Stacy Kirkman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loaded with great depictions of prehistoric animals, Sabertooth casts a vivid picture of what the earth used to look like. The focus is on big cats and what they ate and interacted with other animals and humans. Compares cat teeth to human teeth and discusses present day threats of extinction.

[Zonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book for 2-3 grade reasearch on the topic.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great illustrations and lots of good information about animal anatomy, evolution, ecology, etc. Packed with stuff to learn while still being exciting for kids.

[Josie Dipiero · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot. They illustrations were really great and I liked how informative it was.