Cover Image: Rhinos in Nebraska

Rhinos in Nebraska

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Member Reviews

Being from Nebraska, my family took a particular interest in this book. My kids and I loved learning about all the fossils found. We got so much enjoyment out of learning that we'll be taking a trip to actually see the Ashfall Fossil beds.

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*received for free from netgalley for honest review* Really interesting book! wouldn't mind reading more for sure too, learned a lot

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An engaging and informative book for youth and adult alike. It simplifies terms without being condescending and explains in enough detail to feel like an informative science book

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I have never heard about this place until reading this book. My kids and I plan on taking a vacation to Nebraska and now this place is on our must visit. Who knew that we had a place in this country that was so much like the African Savannah. This book increase the excitement my 10-year-old who wants to be a paleontologist has about visiting this park. The book was very informative the narration was great and it really made you want to go and visit this place

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I wish to thank @netgalley and @orangesky publishers for an advance. copy in exchange for an honest review.

When I opted to read Rhinos in Nebraska by Allison Pearce Stevens I was unaware that it was classified as a children’s book; I was simply interested in archaeology and captivated by the title. I read a lot of non-fiction, and I wanted to find out about a period in Nebraska when rhinos roamed the state. Little did I know that Nebraska—associated in my mind with corn and county fairs—has more fossils than any other state of the union and was home to an ancient watering hold and fertile fossil ground called “Ashfall,: after the fall of ashes that wiped out the animals that drank there. (Rhinos lasted a month after the other animals died—a sad detail that is one of many that sticks in my mind.)

The book is full of interesting facts that I didn’t know before. For example, I didn’t know that there were ancient creatures with “three hooves on each foot.” Admittedly, I’m still trying to work out what animal that could be and how their feet might have looked; but I quote the book here to illustrate that it is full of intriguing details. And I should add that almost all are clearly explained. In fact, even when I realized that the book is aimed at children, I voluntarily kept reading, not just for the teasers (“three hooves”?), but also for the exceptionally clear explanations of concepts that I already understood, but less clearly, e.g., carbon dating, fossilization of bones, the nature of sandstone.

I believe this book would captivate a 10-13 year-old-child. And, since it is an audiobook, the child could listen for herself. The narrator is good—with an “oh wow” tone that not overdone. But it would also be a great book for a parent to read with a child, e.g., for both to listen on a car trip. Both child and parent would learn something, and in a reliably interesting way.

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I love Rhinos in Nebraska by Alison Pearce Stevens because it gave me a new appreciation for my state!

Millions of years ago, rhinos, elephants, camels, and many now-extinct animals roamed Nebraska. A volcanic eruption in Idaho blanketed a watering hole in Nebraska with thick ash, capturing and preserving many animal species. In 1953, a 17-year-old farm worker made the initial discovery that today is the Ashfall Fossil Beds in northeast Nebraska (see arrow on map) where 200+ perfectly preserved fossils have been unearthed to date.

Because this is a children’s book, the scientific explanations are easy to understand and so fascinating! I’ve heard of Ashfall for years, but I haven’t visited or appreciated its importance. After listening to this book, a visit to Ashfall to observe researchers in action is definitely on my to-do list.

I enjoyed Mark Sanderlin’s narration of this 2-hour audiobook. I’ve heard the print edition has excellent illustrations so I’m buying copies for my keeper shelf and as gifts.

Thank you to OrangeSky Audio and NetGalley for the review copy of this audiobook. I’ll be telling everyone I know to read this amazing book!

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Rhinos in Nebraska focuses on the fossils that have been unearthed in the Ashfall Fossil Beds. The two hour audiobook is a great introduction to not only the fossils that were found there but also the process by which the paleontologists found and handled the fossils. There were even details about the how the animals that are now extinct lived prior to the extinction event. This audiobook was a great way for middle grade students to learn about fossils and to develop a deeper understanding of paleontology, geology and biology.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the ARC.

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I enjoyed this short, but informative audio book. The narrator enunciated the words clearly, but without exaggeration. The topic is interesting. Who knew rhinos would be found in Nebraska. The narrator was like a teacher in that he would excitedly ask a question as though you were there with him. Then he would answer to satisfy your curiosity.

I learned a lot and believe young (and old) would enjoy and benefit from this audio about rhinos found in Nebraska.
Thank you #netgalley for #rhinosinnebraska. The opinions expressed are my own.

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Loved how simply and interesting this information was told to us. I listened to this with my 11 year old and he wanted to know more. It sparks an interest in fossils and how the earth has changed over centuries.

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This is story of how 17 year old in 1950’s found fossils in Nebraska.
There is great details on the fossils found (rhinos, deer and wolves - loved the description of wolves footprints!) snd speculation on how they lived based on conditions of the fossils.
Kids will love reading this and feel like they are back in prehistoric times with these animals and volcanoes.

It is pretty exciting! 😊

This is my honest review on the ARC I received from NetGalley.

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Format: audiobook
Author: Alison Pearce Stevens ~ Title: Rhinos in Nebraska ~ Narrator: Mark Sanderlin
Content: 4.5 stars ~ Narration: 5 stars

Who would have thought that rhinos once inhabited North America? But they did. Twelve million years ago. This is a story of finding the site in Nebraska, excavating the remains and studying what they found.

Rhinos in Nebraska is a nonfiction audiobook for all generations. In its essence, it is a middle-grade nonfiction, and it is suitable for ages 8+. But I would say, young and adults that are interested in paleontology will like it.

Narration was good, and I liked it.

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Audiobook provided by NetGalley and OrangeSky Audio in exchange for an honest review.

This is an AWESOME middle grade book about the Ashfall Fossil Beds in Nebraska! Geared toward ages 8-12, the author goes through how the first rhino skull was discovered in 1953 to all the scientific discoveries that have happened in this area since. To this day, more than two hundred perfectly preserved fossils at the Ashfall Fossil Beds and the area has been turned into a national park.

The audiobook is just under 2 hours so it's a fairly quick read and Mark Sanderlin does a great job with the narration. The author found the perfect balance between an exciting narrative and providing readers with scientific facts and knowledge.

I would say this is a must-read for any kids (and adults!) who are interested in paleontology - and it might be a story they haven't heard of before.

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This is listed as a middle grade book but I learned so much from it, so I think it's great for adults too! And really, I'm not an expert on any of the topics discussed on this book, so I kind of needed a middle-grade version.

I really enjoyed the way things were explained. I was able to really understand how the rhinos were found and why. I was fascinated with so much in this story. It's pretty short, so I listened to it on just 3 walks.

There's a part where they talk about the lung capacity of different sized animals, and I found myself trying to breath in and count the seconds because that's what they were talking about! I was absolutely fascinated by this one!

I highly recommend this for anyone interested in paleontology and how fossils are discovered and recovered!

I was provided a gifted copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.

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This is a very interesting audio book that has amazing facts and does have the capability create fascination and curiosity.

It is quite heavy in places with information and some children may find it hard to keep up with.

It is an audiobook that could be recommended if a class was studying prehistoria, evolution as well as Geography. It does raise and answer some very interesting questions.

I feel the narrator although clear is not the most interesting voice to listen to.

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A very detailed and informative story on the findings of Rhino fossils in Nebraska. The narrator was very engaging and while the audiobook is short it contains an incredible amount of information broken down from start to finish. I wish I had these available as a child when I was obsessed with National Geographic and Discovery Channel.

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