Animalia features beautifully detailed illustration of animals in incredible situations, each an interpretation of the alphabet. Picture Horrible Hairy Hogs Hurrying Homewards on Heavily Harnessed Horses! Will be enjoyed by all ages from 4 up.

A picture book where familiar animals appear in unfamiliar situations and each page contains a wealth of hidden objects and ideas.

Within the pages of this book
You may discover, if you look
Beyond the spell of written words,
A hidden land of beasts and birds.
For many things are 'of a kind,'
And those with keenest eyes will find
A thousand things, or maybe more -
It's up to you to keep the score . . .

"What's this elaborate illustration? "Horrible Hairy Hogs Hurrying Homewards on Heavily Harnessed Horses," of course. Graeme Base's astonishingly creative oeuvre begins with Animalia, the 1993 alphabet book that challenges the standard idea of how long reading a book for small kids ought to take. Animalia, like many of Base's books, is a vast puzzle, built with entrancing pictures that unfold into layers and layers of objects--all matched to each page's corresponding letter. Base leaves us stunned and amazed, painting reflections into the oddest surfaces and driving the urge to page-turn. This wonderful picture book works for 2-year-olds, 5-year-olds, and adults alike--something few other alphabet books can manage."--Andrew Bartlett

Accolades

Dromkeen Medal Winner 1998  - Winner
Kids Own Aust Literature Award (KOALA) 1994  - Shortlisted
Kids Own Aust Literature Award (KOALA) 1993  - Shortlisted
COOL Award 1993  - Shortlisted
Kids Own Aust Literature Award (KOALA) 1988  - Winner
Young Aust Best Book Award (YABBA) 1987  - Winner Picture Book
CBC Book of the Year 1987  - Honour Book Picture Book

About the Author

Graeme Base is one of the world’s leading creators of picture books. His alphabet book, Animalia, received international acclaim when it was first published in 1986 and has sold more than two million copies. Graeme lives in Melbourne, Australia.