Orchard Books (July 28, 2015)
Reading age : 3 - 7 years
Order:
8: An animal alphabet
This book is many things. An alphabet book, a counting book, a finding book, a questioning book (there’s a “Did you Know?” fact about each animal at the back of the book). Though I wonder if this book may have been just an excuse to draw animals.
For research I drew on references like The Sibley Guide to Birds by David Allen Sibley. I spent more than a few afternoons sketching in front of the dioramas at the American Museum of Natural History. Children’s books often make animals appear “cute.” But I think children are too smart to fall for that. More curious. Because the reality — the strangeness and diversity of animals in our world— can be eye-opening.
