ANIMAL PORTRAITS

Pandas and wolves and seals…oh my!

This large-format picture book showcases just one or two animals per layout, set against a stark white background. The only text that accompanies these illustrations are the names of each. There are farmyard residents, African animals, and sea creatures. Incredibly detailed, vibrantly colored images invite readers to linger. The camel shows its bottom teeth; the linework used to depict its coat offers texture and movement. An illustration of a hulking bear, its mouth open, effectively uses shadowing, making the image feel like a snapshot of a specific movement. Perhaps most impressively, the animals that have large portions of white fur still manage to stand out against the page thanks to careful shading that outlines, for instance, the ermine’s tail and the panda’s haunches. Animal lovers will probably be familiar with most of the beasts here, but the book reads less like an encyclopedia and more like an art gallery. The images are ready to be studied, enjoyed, and revisited. It is easy to imagine this title laid open on the floor, a child propped up on elbows gazing down on it. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Rich and inviting art makes this collection of animals worthy of bookshelves.