WILD ANIMALS OF THE WORLD

Numerous animals from around the world are represented by exquisite illustrations and brief text translated from German.

There is no doubt that Braun has created a labor of love. The introduction sets humans apart from the animal kingdom, positioning them as threats and dedicating the book to wild creatures. Its promise of introducing readers to animals on every continent is kept, with chapters devoted to one continent apiece. Every page has breathtaking art in a style that includes masterful attention to the colors, textures, and geometric shapes inherent in the featured animals’ bodies and habitats. The combination of both single- and double-page spreads adds to the visual appeal. The scope and level of detail of facts provided for each highlighted species vary widely and are often based on a well-known characteristic. For example, the information about lions focuses solely on the male lion’s mane, the monarch butterfly page offers a rudimentary explanation of metamorphosis, and a paragraph both humorous and awkwardly written expounds on the striped skunk’s stench. Many of the short text entries include advanced vocabulary and complex sentences, and at least one assumes specialized scientific knowledge. However, they are too brief to satisfy the curiosity of older children, who will long for more surprising facts about the commonly known animals. There are also inconsistencies between the many whimsical, sophisticated entries and others that are prosaic or even awkward.

Captivating art elevates this work.