Animalia

Base, G. (1996). Animalia.  New York: Puffin Books.

Grade Level: K-4

Genre: Alphabet Picture Book- This book uses illustrations to showcase the letters of the alphabet.

Summary:  Animalia is an intriguing, detailed alphabet book with colorful illustrations and rich vocabulary.

Reflection:  Animalia is wonderfully illustrated with fantastic characters from dragons to hogs to newts to unicorns.  Each alphabet letter is given characters that represent it in vivid drawings, with each of the drawings done in one dominant color scheme.  For example, ‘C’ is represented by “crimson cats,” with the color scheme being predominantly red, or crimson.  Each illustration also has a phrase that goes along with the letter it represents.  Each of those phrases skillfully uses alliteration, a wonderful way to expose children to a literary tool.  For example, “Proud Peacocks Preening Perfect Plumage.” Animalia is also a useful tool for teaching critical thinking and observational skills.  Each illustration features many elements that represent the chosen letter.  It is not always easy to name the pictures depicted, sometimes requiring a little research. In addition, this book could be used to teach fantasy and could be a beginning point for several small stories about the characters and setting of each alphabet letter. For older students, it could be used to have students write a play and design costumes based on the illustrations. In each illustration, Base inserts a hidden picture of himself as a child, a challenge in the reader’s observational skills.  These illustrations took Base three years to complete, but will offer the reader a lifetime of enjoyment.  I have looked at it repeatedly trying to find something I missed the other times I looked at it! This book is highly recommended.