Dino Dana: Dino Field Guides

Last year, the wildly popular Canadian television series that features young dinosaur-loving Dana took to print in the form of two volumes of Dino Field Guides. Read below why they will be a great addition to the libraries of paleo-lovers young and old.

Dino Dana: Dino Field Guide

 Written by J. J. Johnson, Christin Simms and 

Colleen Russo Johnson

 Mango Publishing Group
978-1-64250-284-8
230 pp.
Ages 8-12
April 2020

 

 

Dino Dana: Dino Field Guide Volume 2

 Written by J.J. Johnson, Christin Simms and  

Colleen Russo Johnson

Mango Publishing Group
978-1-64250-521-4
230 pp.
Ages 8-12
December 2020

 

Books about dinosaurs are plentiful. Check out any school library to find evidence of a collection that is regularly signed out and well-loved. But these field guides are much more than encyclopedias of dino info and it's because of the premise upon which the TV series was founded. Originating from the Canadian series Dino Dan and then Dino Dan: Trek's Adventures, Dino Dana stars a young girl who not only knows about dinosaurs and wants to learn more but imagines them to life. Using CGI animation along with live action, the TV series are less lecture and more interactive and these field guides continue to emphasize that strength.

From Dino Dana: Dino Field Guide by J. J. Johnson, Christin Simms and Colleen Russo Johnson

In the first volume of this series, Dino Dana teaches young readers about Albertosaurus, Amargasaurus, Brachiosaurus, Compsognathus, Corythosaurus, Diabloceratops, Diplodocus, Dracorex, Dromaeosaurus, Edmontosaurus, Euoplocephalus, Europasaurus, Futalognkosaurus, Giganotosaurus, Gigantoraptor, Hippodraco, Incisivosaurus, Kentrosaurus, Kosmoceratops, Maiasaura, Microraptor, Nanotyrannus, Nanuqsaurus, Ozraptor, Pachycephalosaurus, Psittacosaurus, Sinornithosaurus, Spinosaurus, Stegosaurus, Stygimoloch, Therizinosaurus, Triceratops, Troodon, Tyrannosaurus Rex, Ugrunaaluk and Zuul. (Whew! That's a whole lot of dinosaurs.) For each, there are three double-spreads. In the first, the animal is showcased with its name, pronunciation and meaning, location, and time scale to show when they lived. On the next spread, more details about the creature's size, morphology and behaviour as well as interesting tidbits are shared. 

From Dino Dana: Dino Field Guide by J. J. Johnson, Christin Simms and Colleen RussoJohnson

Finally, Dino Dana engages her readers in an experiment she undertakes to answer a question she has about that particular dinosaur. It could be about its defense mechanisms or feeding preferences or behaviours with respect to taking care of their young. Her experiments honour the scientific method, asking a question, getting background research information, making a plan, keeping track of results, and drawing conclusions. And because Dana often involves her family, including baby Dexter, in her investigations, or dresses up in wonderful dinosaur costumes–who knits those amazing headpieces?!–they are all the more colourful in their results.

From Dino Dana: Dino Field Guide by J. J. Johnson, Christin Simms and Colleen Russo Johnson

In the second volume of Dino Dana: Dino Field Guide, which was just released last month, Dino Dana pursues more research into tectonic plates and fossils but also extends her knowledge about Pterosaurs like Pterodactylus, Pterodaustro and Quetzalcoatlus; Flying Dinosaurs like Archaeopteryx; Prehistoric Marine Creatures including Archelon, Deinosuchus, Livyatan, Megalodon and Plesiosaur; Prehistoric Mammals such as Brontotherium, Woolly Mammoth and Smilodon; Terror Birds like Titanus; Prehistoric Snakes like Titanoboa; and finally Prehistoric Insects like Meganeura. In addition to new species and groups of creatures beyond dinosaurs, Dino Dana gives special consideration to the young of several, like the Baby Smilon, Baby Wooly Mammoth and Baby Plesiosaur, in this second volume.

 

From Dino Dana: Dino Field Guide Volume 2 by J. J. Johnson, Christin Simms and Colleen Russo Johnson

As with any nature field guide, Dino Dana: Dino Field Guide and Dino Dana: Dino Field Guide Volume 2 are informative handbooks that include just about everything you wanted to know about dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures. But, because Dino Dana is always learning and engaging in discovery activities to feed her knowledge, her field guides don't just tell the reader stuff. They also demonstrate their own development. There are numerous instances where Dana has corrected previously-held truths about dinosaurs, like the theory that "Dinos are like lizards" being replaced with "more like birds." By always asking questions, like the great investigator she is, and attempting to find the answers, whether through research or active inquiry, Dino Dana engages her readers in the process of learning.

For fans of the Dino Dana series and for those who have never seen it but are lovers of dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures, Dino Dana: Dino Field Guides are an absolute treat of visual entertainment and comprehensive knowledge.