Animalia

Title: Animalia
Author: Graeme Base
Illustrated: Graeme Base
Published:Harry N. Abrams Inc. New York
Date: 1987
Summary: This is an alphabet book which shows many different animals, words and even an author hidden within each page.
Age Level: Elementary to Upper Elementary (3-6)
Stregths: I really loved how not only were each letter had an animal on it, but also the text was unique. It cold be big or small or large or round! I loved how the text used alliteration and used very interesting, yet complex words in order to describe the animals. I also liked how on each page, the reader has to find the author of the book on each page. It is like the "I Spy" series for there is a lot of interesting things displayed within the images. You have to look all around until you see a figure wearing a yellow and red striped shirt and jeans. He has fair skin and blonde hair, but sometimes, he will be hard to see and he will show up in the most unlikely of places.
Concerns: I think this should be students who want a challenge not only in problem solving, but also with vocabulary. A lot of students will not know what some of the words mean. Also, some of the things in the images are a little strange (such as the background). Also, this story has animals doing human abilities such as the vulture playing with a puppet and the lions reading in a library.
Comments: This would be a great (outside of the box) learning experience for those who want to learn more about the alphabet, and more vocabulary.