Animalia

Base, Graeme. 1987. ANIMALIA. Ill. by Graeme Base. New York, NY: Harry N. Abrams, Inc.ISBN 0590440861

*Summary

This alphabet book features examples of alliteration and a multitude of images for each letter.

*Critical Analysis

This informational book represents the alphabet and is organized with each letter filling a one or two page spread (with a couple of exceptions). The letter of the alphabet is represented by the sentence and illustrations – almost all words (and images) beginning with the featured letter. This book encourages both browsing and in-depth searches and study with a small amount of text for each letter and a great deal of detail in the illustration for each letter. Cultural markers include Australian animals featured for the letter “k” (kookaburra, kangaroo, koala) and word choice (queuing).

The design of ANIMALIA is inviting to readers of all ages. The illustrations are consistently detailed with various colors, themes, and moods representing each letter. Base has created imaginative scenes which grab the attention of readers and compliment the text on each page. The text is sparse and appears varied with many different font sizes and styles which match well with the sentences and illustrations.

The style of writing is light-hearted and in the realm of fantasy. The illustrations convey many different feelings, but each seems to convey a passion that Base instilled with his attention to detail. The text and illustrations encourage the imagination and can be studied or enjoyed. For example, older readers will appreciate the literary device (alliteration) used in each sentence and the interesting, colorful vocabulary. Younger children will enjoy the sound of the sentences read aloud and the challenge of finding all the objects hidden within the picture.

*Response

Although I had seen this book on many library and classroom shelves, I had never stopped to read it. As soon as I saw the first page, I got the feeling that this is a book children of all ages would enjoy for different reasons. The silly phrases, the colorful illustrations, and the “hidden” pictures make it a fun book to share. Reading it has inspired me to plan new book displays in the library (Graeme Base books and ABC books).

*Review Excerpts

“Base has created an ABC book that goes far beyond a simple listing of items in alphabetical order… This Australian import makes for a delightful visual feast, though it lacks a clear conceptual coherence or unity of action or meaning on every page. No matter readers will have a fine time guessing at objects and searching for a small child who hides among the pages; and the meticulous artistry is far-reaching in its innovation, detail and humor. Base's monumental effort will not go unrewarded; if books could be honored for the sheer number of hours readers could pore over crammed pages, and for the inexhaustible supply of extra touches, this one surely would be a winner.”
Publisher’s Weekly

*Connections

-Use this book to introduce alliteration. Create similar pages to represent letters of name of student, state, school, etc.
-In groups, have students identify as many objects represented for each letter as they can find.
-Discuss illustrations. How do they add to the effectiveness of the book?
-Read other Graeme Base books.-Read other alphabet books.
-Create an alphabet book (text and illustrations).
-Since the books was first published in Australia, identify words and objects that represent Australia and think of ways Base could have further represented Australia in the book.