Review: Lonely Planet’s Atlas of Dogs – The Ultimate Guide for Kids, Parents, and Pooches

Sometimes the best surprises come in the mail. The timing couldn’t have been better — just as we were heading off on a ski trip, Lonely Planet Kids: Atlas of Dogs landed in the post. Five hours of winding roads, restless kids in the back seat, and one very unimpressed Cavoodle later, we discovered this book isn’t just for dog lovers — it’s for anyone who’s ever needed a fun, fuss-free way to keep the family entertained (and sneak in a few fun facts along the way).

Because here’s the thing: whether you’re wrangling toddlers, tweens, or a furbaby who insists on being treated like the third child, long journeys demand something engaging. Atlas of Dogs delivered, big time.

Explore the Paw-some World of Pooches

This isn’t your average coffee table book. Atlas of Dogs is packed with colour, character, and canine charm from the very first page.

With over 100 breeds and plenty of quirky details, kids are instantly drawn in. One minute they’re laughing over the floppy-eared Basset Hound, the next they’re wowed by the sleek Afghan Hound, or pointing at the Dalmatian and yelling “just like in the movies!” Cue squeals in the back seat as Arcadia decided Echo the Cavoodle clearly deserved her own double-page spread. Spoiler: Echo agreed.

The illustrations are bold and full of personality, while the maps showing where each breed comes from had Aurora (8) acting like a pint-sized tour guide: “Mum, did you know the Welsh Corgi comes from Wales, and Malamutes were bred to pull sleds?” Every few pages turned our family car trip into a trivia contest — complete with plenty of “woofs” from Echo chiming in from the back.

Why Parents Will Love It Too

One of the sneaky perks of Atlas of Dogs is how it lightens the mental load for parents. You know those moments when you just need the kids to be engaged without screens or snacks spilling everywhere? This book is the answer.

It’s easy to pick up and put down, with each profile offering bite-sized chunks of info — history, quirks, personality traits — that are perfect for young readers. And unlike endless scrolling on Google, you know the content is accurate, kid-friendly, and designed to spark curiosity instead of overwhelm.

The result? Less “are we there yet?” and more “did you know Huskies can survive freezing Arctic temperatures?” Honestly, I’ll take it.

What’s Inside the Atlas

Atlas of Dogs is more than just a roll call of breeds. True to Lonely Planet style, it mixes fun with function:

• Global maps show where breeds originated, giving kids a crash course in geography as they learn about the pups.
• Doggy profiles highlight history, appearance, and personality traits — perfect for kids who want to know why Beagles sniff everything or why Greyhounds are built for speed.
• Special themed spreads dive deeper into topics like “Dogs That Work,” “Doggy Heroes,” and “How Dogs Communicate.”
• Fun facts are sprinkled throughout, from record-breaking feats to quirky habits that had the kids giggling nonstop.

From the Alaskan Malamute and the Dalmatian to the Labrador Retriever and the Welsh Corgi, this book has canines covered.

Ski Trip Tested, Family Approved

Here’s where it really shone: a five-hour car ride to the snow. Normally, by hour two, we’ve gone through every snack, every playlist, and at least one meltdown. But this time, Atlas of Dogs became the star of the journey.

Aurora read aloud to Arcadia, who squealed every time she saw a “puppy!” (even if it was a working Mastiff the size of a small horse). Echo kept getting “nominated” as lookalikes for every fluffy breed — not that she minded the extra attention.

The car was filled with laughter, stories, and enough trivia to last us the whole trip. By the time we reached the ski fields, the kids could tell you the difference between a Collie and a Corgi, and why Saint Bernards are basically Alpine heroes.

Why It Works for All Ages

Parents love it because it’s educational without trying too hard. Tweens love it because it’s packed with cool facts. Toddlers love it because every page has a “woof.” And let’s be honest, even the adults secretly enjoy brushing up on their dog knowledge.

It’s the kind of book that works at home on a rainy afternoon, in the car on a long drive, or even as a bedtime read when you’re too tired to invent another story. It sparks conversations, laughter, and maybe even a few arguments over which breed is the cutest (spoiler: it’s always your own dog).

The Bonus for Dog Families

And if you’re already a dog household? This book is basically your new family bible. It’s full of tidbits that help kids understand their own pooch better. Why do Border Collies herd everything in sight? Why do Dachshunds think they run the house? Suddenly the quirks of your family pet make sense — and become part of the fun.

Plus, every time your kids find a lookalike to your dog, prepare for squeals and declarations that “ours is definitely the best.”

Final Verdict: Should You Fetch It?

So, should Atlas of Dogs earn a spot on your family bookshelf? Absolutely.

It’s colourful, engaging, and endlessly entertaining — the kind of book that kids will return to again and again. It works as a travel distraction, an educational tool, and a family bonding activity all rolled into one. And at $24.99 RRP, it’s an affordable way to guarantee hours of peace (and giggles).

In our house, it turned a long road trip into a paw-some adventure. And if it can survive five hours in the car with two kids and a Cavoodle, that’s about the highest praise I can give.

Atlas of Dogs is available now at shop.lonelyplanet.com. Fetch your copy — your kids (and your dog) will thank you. And if your household isn’t all about the woofs, Lonely Planet has you covered with Atlas of Cats and even an Atlas of Horses, so every animal enthusiast gets their moment in the spotlight.