Diamond Willow Nominee

Jurassic Poop

What Dinosaurs (And Others) Left Behind

By Jacob Berkowitz, Illustrated by Steve Mack.

Kids Can Press, 2006.
ISBN 9781553378600

Currently3.04347826087/5 Stars
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This is the story of fossilized poop: what it is, how it has been preserved through the ages, and what distinguishes it from “poop imposters”. It is also the story of the scientists who study it and what their research can tell us about the lives of dinosaurs, humans and other animals who lived long ago.

About the Author

Jacob Berkowitz is from Almonte, ON

Jacob Berkowitz is a writer, journalist and playwright who lives in Almonte, Ontario (pop. 3000, 30-minutes west of Ottawa). His writing combines a passion for science and storytelling.

Berkowitz's freelance journalism credits during the past 15 years include stories in newspapers and magazines across Canada. His writing ranges from a first-person feature on social trends in vasectomy, to how our view of the universe is shaped by the way NASA colours images from the Hubble Space Telescope.

Through Quantum Writing, the science writing boutique he founded in 2000, Berkowitz popularizes the work of leading scientists at major research-based organizations in Canada and the United States.

Jurassic Poop is his first book. It's a project that's taken ten years from concept to completion. He's presently at work on a second book for KCP that explores the search for extraterrestrial life. Berkowitz' one-man play Israel premiered at the Ottawa Fringe Festival in June 2005.

Berkowitz has a B.Ed. and a specialist degree in Outdoor and Experiential Education from Queens University. For three years he taught high school science (including one semester in a portable without lab equipment) and English (including drama) in Wiarton, ON. He's also had the privilege to work closely with dinosaurs as the research and education PR officer at the Canadian Museum of Nature.

Berkowitz lives with his wife Rosemary Leach, an artist, and his two children Max and Francesca.

Book Reviews

CM Magazine

Suggested Activities

Some of the information in this book uses a comic book format. Draw your own comic strip depicting information you found interesting after reading this book.
Make a brochure, poster, or advertisement explaining the different types of coprolites to an uninformed public. Who knew poop was so important!
Use the recipe on page 20 to make your very own coprolite.
Steve Mack the illustrator of this book lives in Saskatchewan and owns The Illustration Farm Company. E-mail him and interview him about how he became an illustrator for Kids Can Press. Visit his website.

The 2007 Willow Awards