FICTION

The Big Book of Beasts

by Yuval ZOMMER
illus. by Yuval Zommer. 64p. index. Thames & Hudson. Apr. 2017. Tr $19.95. ISBN 9780500651063.
COPY ISBN
Gr 1–3—By no means a comprehensive collection of all things beastly, this book provides an overview of some of the more popular creatures, from baboons and wolves to tigers and bears. (The "big" from the title refers to the large trim size.) The work is split up into just a few sections: "Beastly Families" (animal family tree), "Claws and Jaws" (protection and defense), and "Howls, Growls, and Smells" (communication). Also included is a section on backyard beasts (e.g., black bears and possums). An interactive "Can You Find?" game involving paw prints adds a bit of fun (answers are offered in the back). The illustrations are vibrant and whimsical, and the animals' facial expressions are bound to elicit laughs.
VERDICT A cute addition for libraries in search of a browsable compendium or for fans of Zommer.
Reviewed by Kristin Anderson, Bloomingdale Public Library, IL
Assorted wild mammals (some more "beastly" than others) shuffle, sneak, and strut across the pages of this attractive oversize book. Spreads on topics such as "Claws and Jaws" and nineteen individual animals contain a Q and A (e.g., "Why is a tiger stripey?") and a handful of interesting facts, leaving plenty of room for the energetic art. Includes "mystery paw prints" to find throughout. Ind.
 , Apr 01, 2017

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