“Animalium” is a natural history museum in book form. “Curated” by Katie Scoot and Jenny Broom, this exquisitely illustrated volume presents an overview of the diversity of earth’s life forms. Presented as classes and arranged in evolutionary order showing the development through the ages, each chapter focuses on several of the species making up that class.
Following the introduction or “Entrance”, a two-page illustration shows the Tree of Animal Life. This section provides an overview of the content of “Animalium” and leads into the more specific “Galleries” (chapters) of the text. Each set of two facing pages within the Gallery consists of a page containing a brief discussion and a key to the illustrations shown on the facing page, designated as a plate. The final set of facing pages in each Gallery holds a discussion of the habitat of the animals within the Gallery and an illustration incorporating those specific animals discussed on the preceding pages.
The illustrations alone make “Animalium” a volume that anyone who appreciates artwork will want to add to their personal library. Softly colored pictures have the appearance of hand-drawn pen and ink illustrations that were common in naturalists’ journals during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Printed on heavy, ivory or aged ivory-colored pages – the page color was not consistent throughout the book - the entire volume seems to be a vintage book that one might discover in an attic or antique emporium. The inconsistency of page color may have been deliberate. Nevertheless, this does not detract from the overall appeal of the book.
The text of “Animalium” is informative, but brief. Each section of the Galleries begins with a short paragraph about the subject of that Gallery. The Latin name follows the more common name of each creature illustrated on the facing page. Information about the animal’s size, and with a few exceptions, a brief paragraph about each creature follows the introductory paragraph.
“Animalium” and the information it contains are based on the theory of Evolution; no other theories – Creationism or Evolutionary Creationism – are discussed in the text. Conservative individuals may find this aspect of the book conflicts with their own core beliefs.
“Animalium” is a beautiful volume that is suitable for display as a coffee table book – it measures approximately 14 7/8” X 10 7/8” – or as a book for anyone, regardless of age, who is fascinated by the animal kingdom. Five stars!
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From the Publisher
It's a museum masquerading as a book. Truly original.
—People Magazine
Welcome to the Museum - Discover more the exhibits in these virtual museums, open all hours
The animal kingdom in glorious detail
An amazing collection of historical artifacts
A brilliantly curated guide to plant life
About the author
If only all books were this beautiful...
This is absolutely the most gorgeous book. I was led to buy Animalium through a Montessori blog for my toddler. At two years old, the book stands at half his length. He seems to do fine with looking through it while seated on the ground, or standing over it while placed on his bed. I don't think that this would be the best book for a toddler that hasn't yet learned how to be gentle with his books, except of course if someone is helping him with it. My son loves getting his toy animals and finding them in the pages of Animalium. I realize that most people wouldn't buy this sort of book for a toddler, but Montessori recommends providing the most beautiful books at as early of an age as you can. My husband is an artist, and his jaw dropped when he saw this book! I may have to buy a second one for him. He was instantly curious as to whether the artist had any other books available. Animalium is an amazing book for any artist looking to reference animals and sea life, or just beautiful color palettes. The artwork has a vintage feel to it. I'd gladly hang any of it in my own home, which makes it nice that posters are also available for purchase! I think this book would be loved by all ages! I don't see how anyone could ever regret purchasing it. Please let me know if this review was helpful to you!
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2014
- Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2016
This is absolutely the most gorgeous book. I was led to buy Animalium through a Montessori blog for my toddler. At two years old, the book stands at half his length. He seems to do fine with looking through it while seated on the ground, or standing over it while placed on his bed. I don't think that this would be the best book for a toddler that hasn't yet learned how to be gentle with his books, except of course if someone is helping him with it. My son loves getting his toy animals and finding them in the pages of Animalium. I realize that most people wouldn't buy this sort of book for a toddler, but Montessori recommends providing the most beautiful books at as early of an age as you can. My husband is an artist, and his jaw dropped when he saw this book! I may have to buy a second one for him. He was instantly curious as to whether the artist had any other books available. Animalium is an amazing book for any artist looking to reference animals and sea life, or just beautiful color palettes. The artwork has a vintage feel to it. I'd gladly hang any of it in my own home, which makes it nice that posters are also available for purchase! I think this book would be loved by all ages! I don't see how anyone could ever regret purchasing it. Please let me know if this review was helpful to you!
Images in this review
- Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2024
- Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2023
Top reviews from other countries
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- Sophia KaratsinidisReviewed in Australia on March 17, 2018
Beautiful illustrations and lovely to give as a gift to ...
- Sagar KolteReviewed in India on January 7, 2016
A book that marries Art and Science.
First, I wholeheartedly recommend the book to everyone. It is big, beautiful and a thing of surpassing elegance. If you are reading this review to decide whether or not to buy it, there, I told you. Go no further.Sagar KolteA book that marries Art and Science.
Reviewed in India on January 7, 2016
The rest of the review is dedicated to discussing the contents and finer features of the book.
The book is a visual introduction to the Animal Kingdom. The format of the book gives us the impression of having visited the Natural History Section of a well curated Museum. The prominent feature of this work are the full page 'plates' that exhibit truly beautiful illustrations of animals printed on heavy ivory coloured paper. The style of illustrations is reminiscent of the biology lab journals of a gifted artist: Attractive, accurate and informative. Each specimen on the plate is numbered and the facing page furnishes us with its common and the Latin name. This is then followed by a short description often mentioning some interesting and odd facts about the creature in question. For instance the life of a Mayfly is a mere sixty minutes, or that the Song Thrush uses stones to break open shells of snails in order to consume them.
The book is divided into sections each dedicated to a progressively more evolved family of the animal kingdom. Aside from the plates discussed above, each section includes a discussion of a representative member of the family. These pages feature a large horizontally oriented drawing of the animal being discussed. Often cross-sections of the specimen are drawn and at times a dissected animal is presented. Towards the end of each section is a plate dedicated to illustrating the animals in that section in their natural habitat. The text throughout the book is succinct.
The book features an index and a 'further reading' section. Finally a word on the illustrations. The images in this book shine with unfashionable virtues and understated beauty. What makes this book an object of art is the quite and unassuming style of illustration that betrays the illustrator's immense talent. One is reminded of the work of Ernst Haeckel when leafing through this book.
I bought this book for my two year old son, the book always managed to grab his attention even in very distracting situations. He has seen many picture books on animals by now, but I can tell that this one isn't just another one of those for him.
Images in this review
