Jurassic Poop: What Dinosaurs (and Others) Left Behind

Sandy Campbell is a reference librarian in the Science and Technology Library at the University of Alberta.

If you can get past the disgusting things in this book, the factual
material, both social and scientific, is well written and age
appropriate. However, there are several shortcomings that interfere with
the use of the book.

First, it is not just about coprolites or fossilized feces, but covers
dried feces, as well, including anthropological studies of human
excrement. In the end, yet another picture of dried feces ceases to
shock or entertain and just becomes unpleasant.

The tasteless attempts to inject picture-book humour are off-putting at
best. For example, there is an anthropomorphized turd that rides a
skateboard, blows out birthday candles, and sunbathes. The accompanying
text is written in the second person, encouraging the reader to identify
with this character. “One big rain and you turn to mush. And it seems
everyone wants to eat you.” Children do not want to think of
themselves as turds.

Even more revolting is the recipe for making playdough coprolites. As a
parent I cannot imagine myself saying, “OK kids, let’s make some
fake poop to play with. Won’t that be fun?”

The difficulty with the book is that it is written at the preteen
level, but the concept appeals to the juvenile sensibilities of
preschoolers and early elementary students. School librarians may want
to purchase this book, so that the “gross-out-the-teacher” crowd can
talk about poop in class with impunity. However, if your library already
has books such as The Scoop on Poop! (2001), Jurassic Poop is not a
first-choice purchase.