Graeme Base's "Animalia"

A few years ago, I discovered a unique and beautiful "Alphabet Book" which was dropped behind a bookshelf in a child's house that I was nanny for. After flipping through it and realizing how lovely it was, I immediately engaged the child with it (who then wanted to explore it for several weeks) and when I got home that night, ordered myself a copy!

"Animalia" which is written and illustrated by Graeme Base, is a book which uses alliteration and incredibly detailed paintings to explore each letter as the book goes along. The pictures are carefully painted scenes containing only objects, animals, items, etc that begin with that particular letter. There are hundreds of things to look at on each page, but are tied together in such a lovely way that it is not overwhelming. Each sentence that opens the page, such as: "Diabolical draons devouring dainty delicacies" are short and simple, address the main theme of the picture, and engage the child in fun and complex vocabulary. And the bonus? Each page contains a small boy wearing blue jeans and an orange shirt (which I read happens to be the author's own representation of himself). This adds a fun search for young children as you go to each page, and asks them to take a closer look at each picture.

I enjoy this book not only because it is so engaging with young children, but also because it is a book that addresses that children can appreciate beautiful works of art and the delicious sampling of language that it sets out for them. Even if they can't understand the words, they are always interested in trying to repeat the words, ask their meaning, and trying to memorize them. It is delightful to hear a four-year-old trying out some of the fun words included on each page. Overall, I find it a great way to engage children for long periods of time with an interesting book and explore the sounds of each letter along the way!

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