Animalia (Picture Puffins)

First off, our family LOVES anything Graeme Base, this book does not disappoint. The rich illustrations, the vocabulary, the hidden pictures (What else can you find that starts with L?), the alliteration... all of it is here. A child can spend hours on this book, and it's a great way to spend time with the kids. His books offer much for a reluctant readers. Second, I was looking for the 25th anniversary edition online and somehow happened upon this listing (I didn't find it through Amazon search engine). The listing didn't mention the book being 25th Anniversary Edition, but I bought it (for much cheaper than anywhere else online) because the picture showed the 25th Anniversary Edition. It arrived today and I was thrilled that it was indeed the anniversary edition. This particular edition comes with a poster on the inside of the jacket "that holds a riddle to be solved." As a side note, I saw this book at a local big box book store and was very disappointed in cover of the paperback. It looked like a poor photocopy. So, if you're trying to decide between paperback and hardcover, I would recommend hardcover... and buy it now while the 25th Edition is still being sold (look at the picture, you'll see "25th Anniversary Edition" at the top of the cover if it is). Also, in regards to the negative reviews.... I use anything that shocks me as a teachable moment with my child. How can I teach them to deal with the emotions associated with being exposed to something unusual? There is no doubt in my mind that my children are exposed to so many things that I would prefer them not to be exposed to on a daily basis. I don't set out to shelter them from these things, but offer advice and talk about the 'weird' things we see and that happen to us on a daily basis. It is our job as parents to prepare our kids for the Big World out there. Trust me, this book will not harm your child... get it.

Book from my childhood... beautiful ART!

Animalia is one of the first books I gift to family & friends of young kids. This helps teach the alphabet, animals & rhyming, in a fun way which includes hidden items to locate at each letter. Spent more than a few Christmas's on living room floor with kids, nephews, nieces and young cousins. We would usually get about 45 min. to an hour at a time of them being engaged in a quiet group activity. This was before this digital device age where two, three year olds & up are using phones & tablets wayyyyy to much time each day, that quiet analog time together is even more important now. Graeme Base is a fantastic artist with a good number of these kinds of books to spend quality time with your kids. I have found Animalia to be popular with younger kids (3 to 4 ish & up) which is why its one of the first I gift. I also highly reccomend "The Eleventh Hour". It is a mystery with puzzles for all ages above say 7 or so & up depending on interests, attention span, problem solving skills, etc. Even 3 letter agency staff have enjoyed that mystery book. I put Graeme Base books on par with Hayao Miyazaki movies for originality, artistry and story. Buy & enjoy, if you can tear them away from digital.

This book is absolutely perfection. The gorgeous illustrations, clever words and hidden pictures. It was my favorite book when I was younger and I still pull it out to look through and see what I can find for each letter years later.

The pictures are lush and lovely, the rhymes are clever, and there’s so much to take in on every page. It’s enjoyable to read with a kid, as a kid, or even by yourself.

I bought this book for my 2 1/2 year old twin grandchildren. I think this will be a book that they can enjoy for many years. The illustrations with the pictures of the different animals and the alliterative verses are perfect for each of the letters. Then there are hidden pictures that start with each of the letters that the children can find and identify. The pictures that are hidden will appeal to many different ages so this is really a book that is for many different ages. Some of the pictures that are hidden are easy to identify and some are much harder to identify. That is one reason I believe this will appeal to a wide age group. Author/illustrator Graeme Base is phenomenal. The illustrations are detailed, colorful and mesmerizing to look at. I think my son and daughter-in-law will have as much fun looking at this book with their children as I did paging through it. Some of the reviewers mentioned violence in the book. I really didn't notice the illustrations they mentioned until they were pointed out to me. The book is light and colorful and delightful to look at.

This book is phenomenal . I used to work at B&N and I cannot tell you how many copies I have sold. Beautiful artwork will draw you in. Even adults get sucked into the detailed pictures. I always include this book with any baby shower gift.

This has been my favorite book to get for my friend's kids since I bought my first copy for my own children thirty years ago. This copy I just bought was for a friend of my daughter's who just had her own daughter. The baby's too young to do more than listen right now, but this book will introduce her to magic of words!

I bought this book years ago, when it was first published & kept it for myself, to pull out when needed. The alphabet has no better friend than this authour; the descriptions, the illustrations, the use of colour, the tiny surprises hidden like gems among the larger illustrations are absolute delights. I want to cut out every page & have them framed - but this is not practical & would be hideously expensive. This book demands to be read aloud, preferably to someone nestled beside you, someone who loves the role of listener & pointer-out-er of each lovely animal/creature. So I bought this new copy as a gift for the youngest & dearest person in my life, with great hopes that she will love it too.

My daughter wanted this book for her son as she remembers having as a child..illustration great

los comentarios y premios y críticas me hicieron pensar que esto iba a ser espectacular. está bien: es bonito, las imágenes están muy bien, y seguramente a mi hija de 5 años le gustará buscar y mirar los dibujos, que es el objetivo del libro... pero no es espectacular.

Animalia is a delightful book. Beautiful illustrations! Readers, children and adults, will have fun identifying all the subjects which begin with a specific letter.

I first came across this book over 20 years ago and it still continues to amuse and intrigue. For those who aren't familiar with it, it's worth taking the opportunity to 'look inside'. As you'll see, there's a single or double page illustration for each letter of the alphabet. The objective is to find as many words beginning with that letter. What makes it special is that each illustration is a visual feast; more importantly, it's a fun way to challenge and expand your child's vocabulary. Suitable for 7-8 years upwards. One small point. In some editions, there is a section at the back of the book that lists the images/words on each page (useful, even for adults). However, the library edition does not have this feature.