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Dieter Braun's Wild Animals #2
Wild Animals of the South
Famous German illustrator Dieter Braun offers his readers an accurate representation of animals from the southern hemisphere in this gorgeously illustrated volume. Through his beautiful and colorful illustrations, readers will be dazzled by the giraffes and elephants in Africa, koalas and kangaroos in Australia, huge blue whales in the open oceans, and many more! Dieter Braun is a freelance illustrator and children’s book author from Hamburg, Germany. He studied Communication Design at the Folkwangschule in Essen. Clients include International publications like Time Magazine , the New York Times , stern, Cosmopolitan, Newsweek, Elle , and Glamour .
152 pages, Hardcover
Published May 9, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
January 26, 2018
Just like Animals of the North, this has amazing illustrations of animals using geometric shapes and beautiful colours. The style reminds me of an illustrator who's name escapes me this late at night (will add in morning) We were intrigued how these illustrations were made, I bought this for my daughter for Christmas ( to open on waking in the hope we could lay in bed until at least 5 or 6am) she commented that they are very symmetrical and wondered if they were created on computer. As with the animals of the North we couldn't understand why some pages were almost or totally blank and some animals had no text at all about them. Otherwise wonderful.
March 31, 2022
Originally published in German as Die Welt der wilden Tiere: Im Süden, it is Dieter Braun's glowing, expressive and often full page illustrations that are the true stars of Wild Animals of the South, that truly "make" this non fiction zoology reference book for children. And artistically, Wild Animals of the South is, indeed, absolute perfection, presenting over eighty realistically but also imaginatively (and painterly) illustrated animals in five chapters, from five specific regions of the Southern Hemisphere (animals of Africa, animals of South America, animals of Southern Asia, animals of Australia and animals of Antarctica, but unfortunately and strangely, no animals endemic to New Zealand are included). Now some of the animals, some the creatures featured in the specific chapters of Wild Animals of the South are, of course, endemic to multiple continents, which fact should really have been both pointed out and explained, as it might, for example, prove a bit confusing for children to see the nine banded armadillo listed as a specifically South American animal species, when it is also endemic to the Southern reaches of the United States (and thus North America), that tigers are native to both Southern and Northern Asia, and that tapirs appear in both South American and South Asian habitats and ecosystems. And the illustrations for Wild Animals of the South are most definitely worth five stars (and more), with beautiful shapes, both geometric and rounded, muted but still expressively bold colours, the same unfortunately cannot, in my opinion, be said with regard to the accompanying text. Although what narrative there is, is readable, descriptive and informative (and I especially appreciate that for each of the animals, its scientific classification, its Latin names, are also offered), I really do NOT understand why only about half of the depicted animals have actually been supplied with descriptive text. The remaining animals are illustrated, with their Latin classification featured, but no narrative descriptions, no additional information is given (which really does limit the teaching and learning potential of Wild Animals of the South, as does the fact that there are no suggestions for further reading, no lists of interesting websites, and even the conservation statuses of the featured animal species are as a general rule NOT included, and considering that a rather goodly number of them are indeed considered critically endangered, and sometimes even close to extinction, this is well and truly a serious and frustrating academic shortcoming). Still highly recommended, but with the additional caveat that Wild Animals of the South is also rather expensive, if not even a bit overpriced for what it offers and presents. Three stars!
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May 6, 2017Review to come, closer to release date, but this is a stunning book! I need to get the companion title, Wild Animals of the North!
July 18, 2019
Not AS beautiful as „Wild Animals of the North“ but it still contains a lot of great images and descriptions.
4.5 of 5 Stars
4.5 of 5 Stars
August 8, 2017
As with its predecessor, Wild Animals of the North, I could happily frame every page from this book and put them on my wall. Braun's art is stunning, expressive and full of character.
I really like that in the introductions for both books, he mentions the fact that so many of the animals featured are endangered, and what a tragic loss to the world it would be if we didn't save them, as the books are aimed primarily at younger readers (though I'm in my 20s and have no shame whatsoever in owning them), and the earlier we can get kids interested in the notion of conservation and empathy for other species, the better.
The facts included alongside many of the animals were genuinely interesting, no matter your age. I learned, for example, that a single humpback whale can weigh as much as six adult African elephants; giraffes have the same number of vertebrae in their necks as humans; and macaws can live for up to 60 years and mate for life. My only slight complaint therefore is that I would have liked all the animals to have some accompanying text, simply because I wanted more! I loved the book too much to mark it down though. If you love animals or art or both, you need Dieter Braun's books in your life.
I really like that in the introductions for both books, he mentions the fact that so many of the animals featured are endangered, and what a tragic loss to the world it would be if we didn't save them, as the books are aimed primarily at younger readers (though I'm in my 20s and have no shame whatsoever in owning them), and the earlier we can get kids interested in the notion of conservation and empathy for other species, the better.
The facts included alongside many of the animals were genuinely interesting, no matter your age. I learned, for example, that a single humpback whale can weigh as much as six adult African elephants; giraffes have the same number of vertebrae in their necks as humans; and macaws can live for up to 60 years and mate for life. My only slight complaint therefore is that I would have liked all the animals to have some accompanying text, simply because I wanted more! I loved the book too much to mark it down though. If you love animals or art or both, you need Dieter Braun's books in your life.
January 5, 2017
Absolutely gorgeous illustrations - frame-able!
March 27, 2019
Absolutely stunning illustrations with factual tidbits about a huge range of animals found in the south.
April 12, 2023
Supermooie illustraties en interessante feitjes
October 5, 2017
I liked Wild Animals of the South for the scientific facts but mostly for its artwork; the pages of the book, published as a large-format, are filled with gorgeous illustrations that describe the impressive, colourful animal kingdom of the southern hemisphere of our planet.
Dieter Braun is a very talented German artist and this book follows Wild Animals of the North, which is on my long reading list as well. Both books focus on the uniqueness of each animal and their importance for our planet.
"We are intruders in the animal kingdom and with every animal that dies out, our life on this planet loses a part of its power and colour and beauty. In fact, we don’t want to even imagine a world without all of these amazing creatures that live in forests and jungles, in valleys and mountains, in oceans and savannahs, do we?", Braun rhetorically asks in the preface of his second book dedicated to animals.
The presentation of the animals is according to their habitats, organized by continents, and they are given both their English and Latin names. A map with all the regions open the book and an Index with all the species presented is placed at the end.
"Cheetah// Acinonyx jubatus
Cheetahs are the perfect sprinters. They have a long-legged and elegant body structure similar to a greyhound. Their paws have thick soles and their semi-retractable claws work like spikes – with the aid of these, they can run up to 110 kilometres an hour. Even though they reach a shoulder height of 80 centimetres, cheetahs aren’t considered part of the big cat family. They don’t roar like lions or leopards, but purr more like a cat."
See full review on blog:
https://fromwordstoworlds.wordpress.c...
Dieter Braun is a very talented German artist and this book follows Wild Animals of the North, which is on my long reading list as well. Both books focus on the uniqueness of each animal and their importance for our planet.
"We are intruders in the animal kingdom and with every animal that dies out, our life on this planet loses a part of its power and colour and beauty. In fact, we don’t want to even imagine a world without all of these amazing creatures that live in forests and jungles, in valleys and mountains, in oceans and savannahs, do we?", Braun rhetorically asks in the preface of his second book dedicated to animals.
The presentation of the animals is according to their habitats, organized by continents, and they are given both their English and Latin names. A map with all the regions open the book and an Index with all the species presented is placed at the end.
"Cheetah// Acinonyx jubatus
Cheetahs are the perfect sprinters. They have a long-legged and elegant body structure similar to a greyhound. Their paws have thick soles and their semi-retractable claws work like spikes – with the aid of these, they can run up to 110 kilometres an hour. Even though they reach a shoulder height of 80 centimetres, cheetahs aren’t considered part of the big cat family. They don’t roar like lions or leopards, but purr more like a cat."
See full review on blog:
https://fromwordstoworlds.wordpress.c...
February 22, 2017
*I received a review copy from the publisher after requesting a digital preview*
I'm not sure I can put into words how excited I am to have gotten a physical copy. It's gorgeous. As in 'I want a second copy of almost every page to frame or else a selection of notecards to be able to send and share with people' gorgeous.
Not sure I can describe the art style, it's elegant but also blocky and textural and fun. Even though it isn't really the same style, the richness of the colors reminds me of vintage posters. (And the texture of the paper is really nice and adds to that feel.)
I do wish there was more information about the animals. Some of them have fun little paragraphs with a few facts, while others have nothing but their names. And there's plenty of open space on pages without graphics that more could have been accommodated without impacting the art.
It can absolutely be a children's book, but I'm counting this as an all ages need it book. I want to hunt down Wild Animals of the North for myself *now*
(Looking to spring-great graduation gift idea if you've got anyone into animals or the graphic arts.)
I'm not sure I can put into words how excited I am to have gotten a physical copy. It's gorgeous. As in 'I want a second copy of almost every page to frame or else a selection of notecards to be able to send and share with people' gorgeous.
Not sure I can describe the art style, it's elegant but also blocky and textural and fun. Even though it isn't really the same style, the richness of the colors reminds me of vintage posters. (And the texture of the paper is really nice and adds to that feel.)
I do wish there was more information about the animals. Some of them have fun little paragraphs with a few facts, while others have nothing but their names. And there's plenty of open space on pages without graphics that more could have been accommodated without impacting the art.
It can absolutely be a children's book, but I'm counting this as an all ages need it book. I want to hunt down Wild Animals of the North for myself *now*
(Looking to spring-great graduation gift idea if you've got anyone into animals or the graphic arts.)
October 10, 2017
Very cool! Great drawings and interesting facts. I enjoyed it as much as the kids. Translated from German.
March 3, 2017
The illustrations in Wild Animals of the South are absolutely stunning. The unique art that looks like multiple different formats to create the animals are vibrate and beautiful. How can one not just love looking at amazing illustrations of animals. My only "beef" with the book is that not all of the animals have a written piece with information about them. I loved reading the information about some of the animals and I was slightly confused as to why there wasn't information on all of them.
February 20, 2017
I love this book! It's got the same feel and quality of Wild Animals of the North. The illustrations are fantastic. Each page has the common and scientific name of the animal represented. Sometimes there are entertaining educational paragraphs about the animals. It would be lovely if that was the case for every animal, but I also said that about Wild Animals of the North as well.
August 15, 2017
just like Wild Animals of the North it's truly a feast for the eyes.. I want to decorate my home with all of the whimsical illustrations!
June 5, 2017
This book was WONDERFUL!!!!! The pictures were beautiful and the information is very spot on. The book is divided into different sections of the world, like South America, Asia, Africa. This makes me want to read the one about the north.
June 22, 2017
I received my copy from a goodreads giveaway while my mother was visiting from out of town. . . she immediately claimed it as her own because it was so beautiful. . . and now it lives on her coffee table on the other side of the country. It truly is a beautiful book.
July 11, 2017
I got this book free through a giveaway!
Really awesome art, and interesting facts about certain animals.
Excited to show and teach my children about these animals that they don't normally have around.
Great book.
Really awesome art, and interesting facts about certain animals.
Excited to show and teach my children about these animals that they don't normally have around.
Great book.
June 21, 2017
Excellent book. Anyone who loves animals will love this book. I would recommend it for school libraries also.
April 29, 2020
Jako dziecko rysowałem namiętnie diplodoki, bo były to jedyne obłe struktury zwierzopodobne, które umiałem jako tako przerysować. Diplodoki chodziły więc po plażach, wokół palm i jak dzisiaj wspominam swoje dziecięce rysunki, to aż dziwne, że nikt nie zauważył niezwykle odważnych nawiązań do wczesnochrześcijańskich fresków. Bardziej na serio zaś muszę przyznać, że do dziś nie potrafię narysować nawet obrysu pingwina i choć zajmuję się zawodowo komiksami to prosta kreska jest dla mnie wyzwaniem. Tym bardziej cenię dobrych ilustratorów, którzy potrafią w oryginalny sposób narysować coś, co wydawałoby się, że już tysiące osób malowało czy rysowało. Na ślad takiego artysty trafiłem jakiś rok temu i się zakochałem.
Dieter Braun Illustration - musicie to zobaczyć (tylko w nowym oknie i wracajcie szybko!). Teraz już możecie z jego dziełami obcować nie tylko online - dzięki wydawnictwu Egmont w księgarniach znajdziecie dwa tomy "Galerii dzikich zwierząt". A ja mam prośbę - przenieście dzięki transakcji kupna książkę z księgarni do domu. Warto. Bardzo.
"Północ" i "Południe" to opasłe tomiszcza, które wydano zacnie (obwoluto-plakat naprawdę robi wrażenie) i z rozmachem, a w których znaleźć można obok świetnych ilustracji ciekawostki ze świata zwierzaków.
Braun ma zdolność przekładania rzeczywistości na geometrię i piękne kolory, dzięki czemu rysowane przez niego zwierzaki są zawieszone pomiędzy weryzmem a abstrakcyjną ilustracją. Widać to doskonale już na okładkach albumów. Dalej jest jeszcze lepiej.
Jestem mało obiektywny, od roku śledzę poczynania artysty a tu jeszcze takie albumy.. Na tym chyba polega radość czytelnika - siedzi człowiek z książką w ręku i cieszy mordę bardziej niż mój pies na widok parówki (wiem, syf, ale co zrobię jak pies lubi). Mają "Galerie..." też ten wspaniały aspekt, że są książkami o zwierzaczkach, w której zwierzaczki przedstawiono na serio, ale z pewnością atrakcyjnie dla młodych czytelników. Przetestujcie na dzieciakach te ilustracje, może będą odkryciem, że kotki i pingwinki są bardziej skomplikowanymi postaciami niż wydawałoby się po obejrzeniu "Pingwinów z Madagaskaru".
Piękne i wcale nie drogie (50 peelenów na okładce) albumy z pewnością będą hitami prezentowymi. Warto, bo dobra ilustracja to nadal rarytas. A jeszcze w takim formacie i z takimi dodatkami... Może nie trzeba, ale bardzo warto to mieć.
Dieter Braun Illustration - musicie to zobaczyć (tylko w nowym oknie i wracajcie szybko!). Teraz już możecie z jego dziełami obcować nie tylko online - dzięki wydawnictwu Egmont w księgarniach znajdziecie dwa tomy "Galerii dzikich zwierząt". A ja mam prośbę - przenieście dzięki transakcji kupna książkę z księgarni do domu. Warto. Bardzo.
"Północ" i "Południe" to opasłe tomiszcza, które wydano zacnie (obwoluto-plakat naprawdę robi wrażenie) i z rozmachem, a w których znaleźć można obok świetnych ilustracji ciekawostki ze świata zwierzaków.
Braun ma zdolność przekładania rzeczywistości na geometrię i piękne kolory, dzięki czemu rysowane przez niego zwierzaki są zawieszone pomiędzy weryzmem a abstrakcyjną ilustracją. Widać to doskonale już na okładkach albumów. Dalej jest jeszcze lepiej.
Jestem mało obiektywny, od roku śledzę poczynania artysty a tu jeszcze takie albumy.. Na tym chyba polega radość czytelnika - siedzi człowiek z książką w ręku i cieszy mordę bardziej niż mój pies na widok parówki (wiem, syf, ale co zrobię jak pies lubi). Mają "Galerie..." też ten wspaniały aspekt, że są książkami o zwierzaczkach, w której zwierzaczki przedstawiono na serio, ale z pewnością atrakcyjnie dla młodych czytelników. Przetestujcie na dzieciakach te ilustracje, może będą odkryciem, że kotki i pingwinki są bardziej skomplikowanymi postaciami niż wydawałoby się po obejrzeniu "Pingwinów z Madagaskaru".
Piękne i wcale nie drogie (50 peelenów na okładce) albumy z pewnością będą hitami prezentowymi. Warto, bo dobra ilustracja to nadal rarytas. A jeszcze w takim formacie i z takimi dodatkami... Może nie trzeba, ale bardzo warto to mieć.
October 17, 2020
Um livro muito interessante de passar os olhos, não só pelos textos didácticos, como pelas imagens estilizadas dos animais selvagens que habitam a sul do Equador.
«Os romanos chamavam às girafas camelopardalis pois acreditavam tratar-se do cruzamento de um camelo com um leopardo».
«As hienas-malhadas produzem sucos digestivos incrivelmente fortes e, graças a eles, estão em condições de comer praticamente tudo, desde lagartos a elefantes, incluindo ossos, chifres e cascos. (...) são uma espécie de aspirador das savanas (...) o seu cleptoparasitismo leva-as a surripiar as presas acabadas de abater por outros predadores, mesmo debaixo do nariz deles».
«O mandril é, entre os mamíferos, o mais colorido de todos: azul e vermelho na face e no traseiro, pelagem verde-azeitona, uma barba amarela e uma barriga branca. Só nas aves costuma encontrar-se uma tal profusão de cores (...)».
«As araras, em regra, são monogâmicas: uma vez escolhido o parceiro, mantêm-se-lhes fiéis para toda a vida. O que não é coisa de pouca monta, pois podem viver até aos 70 anos».
«As fêmeas [de tatu-galinha] dão à luz quatro crias geneticamente idênticas de cada vez, o que é um caso único entre os mamíferos».
«Crocodilo-de-água-salgada - Também conhecido por crocodilo-marinho ou crocodilo-poroso, este réptil gigantesco é o único da sua espécie que pode viver quer na água salgada, quer na água doce. (há notícia de alguns exemplares avistados a mil quilómetros ao largo, em alto mar. (...) uma vez atingida a idade adulta, deixam de ter inimigos naturais, podendo chegar aos 70 anos».
«Para garantir o máximo conforto aos filhotes [do pinguim-imperador], os ovos são mantidos na chamada "bolsa incubadora"... do pai pinguim! A mãe põe um único ovo por ano, regressando depois ao mar, de onde volta passados dois meses. é então que reencontra o parceiro, graças ao chamamento inconfundível deste, e alimenta a cria recém-nascida com o peixe, parcialmente digerido, que acumulou durante a viagem».
O mundo natural é fascinante... Pena que esteja a ser destruído pelo ser humano...
«Os romanos chamavam às girafas camelopardalis pois acreditavam tratar-se do cruzamento de um camelo com um leopardo».
«As hienas-malhadas produzem sucos digestivos incrivelmente fortes e, graças a eles, estão em condições de comer praticamente tudo, desde lagartos a elefantes, incluindo ossos, chifres e cascos. (...) são uma espécie de aspirador das savanas (...) o seu cleptoparasitismo leva-as a surripiar as presas acabadas de abater por outros predadores, mesmo debaixo do nariz deles».
«O mandril é, entre os mamíferos, o mais colorido de todos: azul e vermelho na face e no traseiro, pelagem verde-azeitona, uma barba amarela e uma barriga branca. Só nas aves costuma encontrar-se uma tal profusão de cores (...)».
«As araras, em regra, são monogâmicas: uma vez escolhido o parceiro, mantêm-se-lhes fiéis para toda a vida. O que não é coisa de pouca monta, pois podem viver até aos 70 anos».
«As fêmeas [de tatu-galinha] dão à luz quatro crias geneticamente idênticas de cada vez, o que é um caso único entre os mamíferos».
«Crocodilo-de-água-salgada - Também conhecido por crocodilo-marinho ou crocodilo-poroso, este réptil gigantesco é o único da sua espécie que pode viver quer na água salgada, quer na água doce. (há notícia de alguns exemplares avistados a mil quilómetros ao largo, em alto mar. (...) uma vez atingida a idade adulta, deixam de ter inimigos naturais, podendo chegar aos 70 anos».
«Para garantir o máximo conforto aos filhotes [do pinguim-imperador], os ovos são mantidos na chamada "bolsa incubadora"... do pai pinguim! A mãe põe um único ovo por ano, regressando depois ao mar, de onde volta passados dois meses. é então que reencontra o parceiro, graças ao chamamento inconfundível deste, e alimenta a cria recém-nascida com o peixe, parcialmente digerido, que acumulou durante a viagem».
O mundo natural é fascinante... Pena que esteja a ser destruído pelo ser humano...
January 15, 2018
This book felt like a stroll through a zoo. The large format and unique art style made this a mostly visual experience, but the book also provides little snippets of background information on most of the animals. It very much felt like the experience I might have while walking through the zoo, when I would stop to read some, but not all, of the placards. Part of me wanted more snippets of information on each of the animals, though that may have made for too large a read for the format. I learned the names of quite a few animals I had never heard of before; I enjoyed image searching for animals to see how they compared with the very stylized drawings in the book.
February 10, 2019
Dieter Braun's wonderful illustrations are of wild animals south of the equator. He divides the book into continents and draws species in their environments or with other animals who cohabit that environment. The simple geometric digitally-produced color illustrations are meant not only to show the readers the exquisite beauty of each creature but also to stir our emotions. This quote from Braun explains his purpose: "I’d be really happy if my illustrations encourage sensitising children and adults to being aware of ecological issues." This book has a place on library shelves even if it is oversized. Children will want to check it out and savor each page.
February 16, 2025
Stunning stylised illustrations are the hero of this book, any of which I'd love framed on my wall. Information about around every third animal gives a very brief overview in a few sentences. In total, this is a lovely browseable book for anyone - child or adult. The other two in three animals are illustrated with only a species name to go with it. Animals of all the southern continents are represented. A beautiful book.
November 9, 2021
I liked that this book was sectioned into regions in which children can explore but also appreciate the diversity of the animals they are learning about. It exposes children to different countries and environments and the animals in them, which they likely wouldn’t get to find out about without this wonderful resource!
July 30, 2023
Een mooi informatieboek waar je als kind en volwassene eindeloos in kunt kijken en lezen. Met prachtige, grote illustraties worden de dieren van het zuidelijk halfrond in beeld en tot leven gebracht. De teksten zijn kort en bondig en goed te begrijpen voor kinderen vanaf een jaar of 8.
Het voelt als een waar kunstboek, waar je bij iedere bladzijde die je omslaat wordt verrast.
Het voelt als een waar kunstboek, waar je bij iedere bladzijde die je omslaat wordt verrast.
September 17, 2019
This book has such unique and beautiful illustrations. This falls under the information category of a reference book because it basically just describes each of the animals and gives formal definitions. That being said it is beautiful and a great book for all your animal lover students.
November 15, 2021
Really loved the illustrations within this information book. Easy to read but engaging due to the little facts and interesting pictures.
Really enjoyed reading this and can’t wait ti put it into a jungle/animal themed reading corner!
Really enjoyed reading this and can’t wait ti put it into a jungle/animal themed reading corner!
January 13, 2018
Absolutely stunning!
July 11, 2018
Love it! We have great conversations about the animals featured in this wonderfully illustrated, oversized book about animals of the Southern Hemisphere.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews