July 13, 2015
Swiss illustrator Barman presents a playful overview of the animal kingdom, grouping 600+ creatures into more than 40 categories based on size (“the giants”), color (“the emerald-greens”), and habits (“the night owls”), even making room for creatures only rumored to exist (“the mythical”). Most of the categories include a dozen or so animals, introduced in full-page scenes that reveal that Barman isn’t afraid to get a little cheeky: the googly eyes of 25 endangered animals well up with tears, while “munch-it-uppers” like the saltwater crocodile drool in anticipation of their next meal. Each animal is labeled by name, and short captions offer occasional tidbits (the Cuban tree frog “oozes a toxic slime”). While the book is light on information, Barman’s quirky artwork and the biodiversity reflected offer a lot to pore over. Ages 5–8.