Asteroid Impact

by Douglas Henderson

Accessible text and vivid illustrations explore the theory that the collision of an asteroid with the Earth ended the Cretaceous Period and caused the extinction of the dinosaurs.

Genres: Dinosaurs, Nonfiction, Science

40 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2000

About the author

For the Scottish mycologist, see Douglas Mackay Henderson

Reviews

[Bill Holmes]

This book is written for young readers, but even as an old guy (57), I found it to be thoroughly enjoyable because of the beautiful illustrations. Although the text is fairly simple, it provides an excellent introduction to what is understood about the asteroid or comet that struck the earth 65 million years ago. Many scientists believe that the impact caused the extinction of the dinosaurs, although the contemporaneous flood basalts of India’s Deccan Traps vie for that honor.

For a deeper dive into the end-Cretaceous extinction event, see chapter 6 of Peter Brannon’s “The Ends of the World,” which offers an interesting explanation of why the Cretaceous impact may have made the volcanic eruptions that formed the Deccan Traps even worse. David Shonting’s “Chicxulub: The Impact and Tsunami” provides a very thorough discussion of the impact and its after-effects, more suitable for adult readers but somewhat academic in its style—and without the striking illustrations of “Asteroid Impact.”

[Henry Claxton]

Asteroid Impact is extremely informational and descriptive. The story explains what happened before, during, and after the asteroid made impact with Earth 65 million years ago. The illustrations help depict what the asteroid looked like and the impact is created. Students with a strong interest in science and are fluent readers would enjoy this book. Many other students would be interested in a read aloud environment.

[Michael Lent]

Fairly comprehensive information in a ticking clock timeline format.

[Melissa]

3.5

[Savanna]

Summary: Asteroid Impact describes earth before the dinosaur’s extinction and gives minute by minute detail of everything that occurred when a huge asteroid supposedly hit the earth 65 million years ago and decimated most of the life on earth.

This book could be controversial because of two reasons. One this book could scare the kid reading it if they got the impression that an asteroid could hit at any moment and kill them. Two this book claims that dinosaurs were killed off by an asteroid: the asteroid is one of many theories and is not a proven fact. (Just because the majority of people believe it to be true does not make it so.)

I liked this book. It was very interesting, informative and had visual representation of everything the book talked about so even if you couldn’t read you would still get the gist of what it said. It even had some conflict resolution and hope in the end for humanity as it said that unlike the dinosaurs we can plan for the future and are looking for a solution of another asteroid comes. It is a good book.

[Beverly]

Assumes the theory of evolution is true. Postulates that a asteroid impact was the beginning of the end for dinosaurs.

[Erica Hendrickson]

based on theories of what happened during the prehistoric times. Interesting

[Katie]

Asteroid Impact focuses on the asteroid impact that likely caused the Cretaceous–Tertiary extinction, giving a short review of reptilian life on the planet, and the physics behind the impact that made it so deadly. Readers then hear a compelling version of the result of the impact, as well as the lasting effects. While some may consider it outdated, the narrative of the explosion alone makes the text worth exploring.

In response to earlier reviews - Henderson is careful to explain that the likelihood of this happening again in our lifetime is very low. While he could potentially spend more time discussing the fact that there are many other theories on what caused the extinction, the book very clearly set out to discuss the Asteroid impact. This is a nonfiction book based on scientific research. If readers want a creation story, they will have to look elsewhere.

I've loved Henderson's artwork for awhile, and it shines in the book. The dead Tyrannosaur, surrounded by ashes and lying in embers, is a personal favorite that I've always wanted a copy of to hang. Morbid, maybe, but it is beautiful. How awesome to see it chilling out on pg 32! I had no idea it was originally made for this text.

Update: found a poster version of the Dead T-Rex I wanted on Henderson's site... I purchased it immediately.


This book could be controversial because of two reasons. One this book could scare the kid reading it if they got the impression that an asteroid could hit at any moment and kill them. Two this book claims that dinosaurs were killed off by an asteroid: the asteroid is one of many theories and is not a proven fact. (Just because the majority of people believe it to be true does not make it so.)