Canadian Dinosaurs. (A Wow Canada! Book). Elin Kelsey. Toronto, ON: Maple Tree Press, 2003. 96 pp., pbk. & cl., $19.95 (pbk.), $29.95 (cl.). ISBN 1-894379-56-X (pbk.), ISBN 1-894379-55-1 (cl.). Subject Heading: Dinosaurs-Juvenile literature. Grades 3-6 / Ages 8-11. Review by Gail Hamilton. **** /4

excerpt:

When he was six years old, Philip Currie found a plastic dinosaur in a box of cereal. His parents had to buy a lot of cereal so he could collect the whole set! In grade five, he found a book in his classroom called All About Dinosaurs, and read what it was like to be a dinosaur hunter. He decided then and there to become a paleontologist. Today, he is the Head of the Dinosaur Research Program at the Royal Tyrell Museum of Paleontology, and is recognized around the world as a leading paleontologist.

Part of the "Wow Canada!" series, Canadian Dinosaurs includes the latest on dinosaur research. The book is divided into five main sections, each with several subheadings. Topics range from the "Great Canadian Dinosaur Rush" to advanced technologies which help scientists to make new discoveries and tools of the paleontology trade. What sets this book apart from others on the same topic is the focus on Canadian dinosaurs — over 70 are featured — as well as the researcher profiles. These profiles contain interesting, and often, inspiring, stories of men and women who have had a lifelong interest in dinosaurs, and, who eventually became paleontologists or researchers in the field. Readers who, as youngsters, might have collected little dinosaur figures will identify with many of the researchers whose passion for dinosaurs was spawned by a similar collection of plastic dinosaurs. Another strength of the book is the "behind-the-scenes" look at dinosaur digs.

     The author engages readers in the stories of dinosaur discoveries as well as in the problem-solving process undertaken by researchers as new ideas come to light. How dinosaur bones are identified, how shattered bones are glued together and how artists figure out what the dinosaurs looked like are just some of the topics that will fascinate readers. Mystery buffs will also enjoy learning about new discoveries which challenge researchers' original ways of thinking. One particularly interesting fact is that it takes one person approximately 10 years to prepare a single dinosaur skeleton. This preparation, described in detail, is both time-consuming and labour-intensive.

     The format and layout of the book are highly appealing. Each of the five main sections is colour-coded, the designated colour appearing in wide bands on the left-facing page and in headings and frames around photographs and fact boxes. There are abundant illustrations and photographs (some of them archival) to enhance the text which draws the reader in with its conversational style. A table of contents, an index and a glossary are provided along with a list of provinces and the kinds of dinosaurs that have been found in each area. There are also descriptions of some of the major dinosaur and fossil parks and museums across Canada.

Highly Recommended.

Gail Hamilton is a teacher-librarian at Bird's Hill School in East St. Paul, MB.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright � the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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