The Coloring Book of (Scientifically Accurate) Paleofauna

As Coronavirus “shelter in place” measures ramp up all around the world, many of us find ourselves turning to quieter, indoor activities to pass the time. Coloring books, no longer the exclusive domain of children these days, appeal to all ages as a soothing activity that gives us small goals to accomplish in a relaxing, low pressure environment. For fans of prehistoric creatures, The Coloring Book of (Scientifically Accurate) Paleofauna by Diane Ramic has more than enough to keep artists of all ages busy.

Ramic fills the book with simple yet precise lineart that make the designs appealing to both adults and children. You can make your color patterns as simple or complex as you want; both easily fit with the designs Ramic has provided.

This makes the designs amenable to whatever medium one chooses. I’ve personally used both crayons and colored pencils in my copy, and I imagine one could also use markers and certain paints if one takes care not to bleed through to other pages. In the images I’ve included in this review, I used crayons for Hallucigenia and Cladoselache, and colored pencils for Barapasaurus and Gastornis.

Ramic is also the author/illustrator of The Coloring Book of (Scientifically Accurate) Dinosaurs, which, as best as I can tell from the previews, seems to be included in its entirety within this book. If you’re looking for the most bang for you buck, I’d therefore recommend just buying The Coloring Book of (Scientifically Accurate) Paleofauna.

If you’re looking to support Diane Ramic further, however, she has also produced a delightfully retro companion volume titled The Coloring Book of (Completely Inaccurate) Dinosaurs, which I have yet to purchase for myself, but should prove equally entertaining. For non-coloring book options, Ramic has also produced the delightfully stylized An Assorted Array of Vector Animals, as well as provided illustrations for Allison Gregory’s dinosaur rhymes in Dapper Dinos. I hope to purchase the latter at some point, as I’m sure it makes for great bedtime reading for little dinosaur enthusiasts. (I suppose I’ll have to content myself with In The Past for now…)

I highly recommend The Coloring Book of (Scientifically Accurate) Paleofauna. It has already provided me with plenty of soothing entertainment, and while I’m too selfish to share this particular book with my kids, I’m sure they’d find it delightful as well! Show a scientifically inclined coloring book a little support, and purchase yourself a copy to keep you occupied while we all practice social distancing! The Coloring Book of (Scientifically Accurate) Paleofauna has definitely earned my Dino Dad Stomp of Approval!