Base, Graeme. Animalia. New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers, 1993.
If you still tend to “judge a book by its cover” then I don’t think you’ll be able to pass up Animalia written and illustrated by Graeme Base. Animalia is an alphabet book but it offers much more than just teaching the letters in their appropriate order. Each page is dedicated to one of the 26 letters of the alphabet and it contains a phrase using only words that begin with the designated letter. One of the words on each page is the name of an animal that starts with the given letter, thus explaining the title: Animalia. Base has filled each letter’s page from top to bottom with objects that begin with the showcased letter. So although the phrase may consist of only a few words, nearly all illustrations complement the letter. Base’s artwork style is a mixture of representational and surrealistic art with a great use of vivid color and intense texture.
I think beyond the sheer enjoyment this book brings, is a great teaching and learning tool. Each phrase uses alliteration and encourages vocabulary exploration. Since alliteration is used, it can be difficult to find words that make sense but also start with the appropriate letter, so some of the words are not found in everyday language. The illustrations alone are a learning tool that make readers question the strategic placement of each object.
Overall , Animalia is a fun, informational book that will leave readers of all ages entertained for hours!
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2 comments:
This sounds like a cool book. I might have to try and find it at a local library and check it out for myself.
What was something you found most striking about the book when you read it?
One distinction that we haven't discussed enough in class is the difference between a book of poetry and a book written in verse.
Which would you say this is?
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