THE AMICUS BOOK OF ANIMAL HOMES

Ten homes for 10 animals—just right to intrigue little naturalists.

Extra-thick, sturdy board pages are easy to turn. The text on each page uses a predictable format. The name of each home is printed in a large font, followed in smaller type by a simple declaration of who lives there, with the name of the animal slightly enlarged: “A dam is for beavers!” The text accompanying the final illustration of “a house…for people” adds a follow-up question—“Where do you live?”—that opens the door to more personal reflection. Animals included seem to have been chosen arbitrarily; there is no clear connection among the animals except that they all have homes. Some, such as the hermit crab’s shell, are quite specific while others, like the mole’s tunnel, are rather vague. Stylized drawings of each animal in its dwelling offer a bit more information for children. Many readers will linger to study the richly textured collage illustrations executed using newspapers, maps, graph and other papers in muted tones. A sound or action word commonly associated with the animal shown is included in each picture: “Neigh!” is near two horses in a stable; “Twitch!” is the rabbit’s action; and “Bubble!” and “Gulp!” float near two of the fish swimming in a coral reef. The beehive, alas, is incorrectly depicted as a paper-wasps’ nest.

This simple yet sophisticated book should find a home on the board-book shelf.