The Dinosaur Atlas

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

A good thematic atlas allows the user to ask questions by subject (Where
did this dinosaur live?) and geographically (What dinosaurs lived in a
particular place?). In this atlas, the index supplies access by the
dinosaurs’ names. However, there is no way to answer the question
“What dinosaurs lived in Alberta?” The maps are at the continental
scale, with no place names. Sometimes a number on a map shows where a
dinosaur was found, but you will not even know what part of the world
that map represents unless your knowledge of world topography is very
good or you read the accompanying text. Large parts of the maps are
obscured by pictures of dinosaurs. These illustrations are a strength of
the book. “Dino” Don Lessem, the author, is often depicted
interacting with the dinosaurs. The text is informative and enjoyable.
“Dino Don Says” boxes highlight interesting facts.

Only 54 of the more than 500 known species of dinosaurs are shown in
the atlas. Each species is given a number to designate its locations on
the maps. There are also corresponding numbered boxes containing basic
information about the species. These are present for some but not all of
the dinosaurs, leading to the disconcerting situation of having a box
numbered 21 on one page and box 24 on the next, with no explanation
about what happened to boxes 22 and 23.

Overall, a book that children will enjoy, but not effective as an
atlas. Recommended with reservations.