Animalia
Author and Illustrator: Graeme Base
BUY – Animalia
Stunningly beautiful! This book which was first published in 1986 is still amongst the most fantastically crafted and magnificently painted picture-word books ever made.
Each page has a cleverly alliterated sentence which introduces both the animal of the featured letter, and starts the investigation to find all the things that are ‘of a kind’ on each page.
“Victor V. Vulture the Vaudeville Ventriloquist. Versatile Virtuoso of Vociferous Verbosity. Vexatiously Vocalizing at the Valhalla Variety Venue.”
The range of objects is incredible and you will find yourself asking, “What is that thing?”
The illustrations took over three years to paint and it’s easy to see why. This book is a masterpiece on every level. Even the typeface is themed to the style of each picture.
As if there was not enough to discover on each page, Graeme Base has hidden a child character of himself in each picture, certainly pre-empting Where’s Wally!
There are five books in total by this exceptional artist which are well worth investigating.
A feast of fantasy and graphic excellence. A must have book which the whole family will be engrossed by!
Share This Book

Book Details
- Age Range: 3 and up
- Paperback: 32 pages
- Publisher: Puffin
- Publication Date: Reprint Ed. Oct 1, 1996.
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0140559965
- ISBN-13: 978-0140559965
- Product Dimensions: 12.9 x 9.2 x 0.2 inches
- Hardcover: 32 pages
- Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
- Publication Date: Reprint Ed. Sept. 20, 1993.
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0810919397
- ISBN-13: 978-0810919396
- Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches