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Wonders of Nature: Explorations in the World of Birds, Insects and Fish
A stunningly illustrated treasury of animals, this book will entrance and delight young children interested in the world of nature.
Bright-eyed birds, evanescent butterflies, tropical fish and other pleasures await the readers of this large format book that will appeal to young children's curiosity about the natural world. Reminiscent of the watercolors of Ernst Haeckel, John James Audubon, and Maria Sibylla Merian, these charming and expertly rendered pictures of birds, insects, and fish will provide hours of exploration. Presented in double-page spreads, interspersed with informative texts, Guiraud's illustrations capture the wondrous beauty that populates our oceans, forests, and fields. Her expressive illustrations create a sense of intimacy and empathy with the natural world and their exquisite detail rewards close investigation. Certain to captivate both children and adults, this magnificent book will instill in its readers a connection to the world around them and ignite a sense of wonder about all living things.
Bright-eyed birds, evanescent butterflies, tropical fish and other pleasures await the readers of this large format book that will appeal to young children's curiosity about the natural world. Reminiscent of the watercolors of Ernst Haeckel, John James Audubon, and Maria Sibylla Merian, these charming and expertly rendered pictures of birds, insects, and fish will provide hours of exploration. Presented in double-page spreads, interspersed with informative texts, Guiraud's illustrations capture the wondrous beauty that populates our oceans, forests, and fields. Her expressive illustrations create a sense of intimacy and empathy with the natural world and their exquisite detail rewards close investigation. Certain to captivate both children and adults, this magnificent book will instill in its readers a connection to the world around them and ignite a sense of wonder about all living things.
96 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 24, 2019
Find my full review here: http://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsnon...
WONDERS OF NATURE is a gorgeously illustrated, oversized book that discusses birds, fish, and bugs in an approachable way for young children. The large images display different features of the organisms (e.g. for birds, there are pages that shows different feather types, eggs, beaks, and feet from different bird species). There are several chapters on birds, bugs, and then fish (including some marine coral, starfish, and sting rays).
What I loved: The illustrations are large and absolutely lovely, appealing to budding scientists. The oversized pages are perfect for seeing more detail on the many creatures shown. There is a good breadth of species shown on each topic, all in gorgeously depicted and realistic-looking sketches. Each section also has a list of some of the species shown with some interesting facts about what makes them unique. Children will love this book not only for what they can learn but also just to look at the fantastic images.
Final verdict: This mesmerizing book is perfect for budding scientists who will enjoy the detail and lovely images throughout. With the oversized nature of the book, readers can get a closer look at birds, bugs, and fish through the large and detailed sketches. Highly recommend for animal lovers and curious minds across preschool and elementary ages.
WONDERS OF NATURE is a gorgeously illustrated, oversized book that discusses birds, fish, and bugs in an approachable way for young children. The large images display different features of the organisms (e.g. for birds, there are pages that shows different feather types, eggs, beaks, and feet from different bird species). There are several chapters on birds, bugs, and then fish (including some marine coral, starfish, and sting rays).
What I loved: The illustrations are large and absolutely lovely, appealing to budding scientists. The oversized pages are perfect for seeing more detail on the many creatures shown. There is a good breadth of species shown on each topic, all in gorgeously depicted and realistic-looking sketches. Each section also has a list of some of the species shown with some interesting facts about what makes them unique. Children will love this book not only for what they can learn but also just to look at the fantastic images.
Final verdict: This mesmerizing book is perfect for budding scientists who will enjoy the detail and lovely images throughout. With the oversized nature of the book, readers can get a closer look at birds, bugs, and fish through the large and detailed sketches. Highly recommend for animal lovers and curious minds across preschool and elementary ages.
January 13, 2019
This is an oversized picture book that is stunning. What an opportunity for children to see these beautifully drawn creatures that abound in nature. This is an opportunity for them to see the creatures themselves and to see how an artist has creatively and painstakingly drawn their images.
See close up their antenna, their wings, their tentacles. See their diversity and their colors.
Art departments in schools need this book. School and public libraries need this book. Homes that have children who want to explore the intricacies of this World's creatures will want this book to look through and then to take out their own art supplies and replicate the images.
Is this a "drawing" book? No. It is an informational treatise with lots of fantastic information and grouping by the author that teaches and fascinates. Yet, it is an "art" or "drawing" book in that the detail is so grand that budding artists will want to try their own hand at creating the same or similar pictures of the creatures a nd wonders they find in nature.
And it is refreshing to see the fun side of the author/artist in that the animals have deliciously delightful and fun expressions. Look for it! It makes the book even more fun.
I highly recommend.
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy on behalf of the publisher to facilitate this review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.
See close up their antenna, their wings, their tentacles. See their diversity and their colors.
Art departments in schools need this book. School and public libraries need this book. Homes that have children who want to explore the intricacies of this World's creatures will want this book to look through and then to take out their own art supplies and replicate the images.
Is this a "drawing" book? No. It is an informational treatise with lots of fantastic information and grouping by the author that teaches and fascinates. Yet, it is an "art" or "drawing" book in that the detail is so grand that budding artists will want to try their own hand at creating the same or similar pictures of the creatures a nd wonders they find in nature.
And it is refreshing to see the fun side of the author/artist in that the animals have deliciously delightful and fun expressions. Look for it! It makes the book even more fun.
I highly recommend.
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy on behalf of the publisher to facilitate this review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.
September 4, 2018
Absolutely stunning illustrations. Reading this was like stepping back in time to one of those Curiosity Collections that amateur naturalists used to create. I particularly loved the chapters on birds as each was not only beautifully and minutely depicted but each had a vivid sense of personality!
Pages with tidbits of factual information are interspersed between the gorgeous drawings. A book for artists and naturalists.
Pages with tidbits of factual information are interspersed between the gorgeous drawings. A book for artists and naturalists.
May 24, 2019
I received a free physical copy of this gorgeous book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This review was originally shared on Lazy Day Literature
Wonders of Nature is an absolutely gorgeous oversized nonfiction that explores and celebrates the beauty of the world of birds, insects, and fish. It covers many different bird species, showing us their diverse feathers, claws, and other features.
The insect section has a lovely variety of butterflies! It also has a section of ocean-dwelling fauna that includes starfish, coral, and more. Each section ends in a 'random directory' that includes text information on the illustrated species.
The cover of this book is simply stunning and would be it's own reason to own this one, but the inside illustrations are just as beautiful and who doesn't want to learn a little something about the world around us and the flora and fauna in it?
This book has helped spur my daughter's interest in the birds and butterflies that we see daily and we are looking forward to learning more from it!
This review was originally shared on Lazy Day Literature
Wonders of Nature is an absolutely gorgeous oversized nonfiction that explores and celebrates the beauty of the world of birds, insects, and fish. It covers many different bird species, showing us their diverse feathers, claws, and other features.
The insect section has a lovely variety of butterflies! It also has a section of ocean-dwelling fauna that includes starfish, coral, and more. Each section ends in a 'random directory' that includes text information on the illustrated species.
The cover of this book is simply stunning and would be it's own reason to own this one, but the inside illustrations are just as beautiful and who doesn't want to learn a little something about the world around us and the flora and fauna in it?
This book has helped spur my daughter's interest in the birds and butterflies that we see daily and we are looking forward to learning more from it!
June 16, 2019
Author Florence Guiraud has a love for the beauty of insects, birds, and fish. In this book, she chose the most fascinating and cataloged them here to not only share their beauty with you but to educate as well.
Since there are nearly 10,000 species of birds alone, she obviously couldn't share all of them here in the book. Instead, she gives a brief overview of their traits related to flying...or not....their personalities, and their talents. Then she moves on to insects and fish. Through amazing illustrations, she shares the detailed designs and the intricate beauty of some of these amazing creatures.
Each illustration is named and the detail makes you think you are looking at a photograph rather than an illustration. This is an over-sized book with a hardcover and thick pages to withstand many page-turns with a child.
Dictionary pages in each section give a brief description of the bird, insect, or fish. It's amazing the different varieties of birds, insects, and fish and the unique use of their particular style of feather or beak or scale or fin.
For children who are attracted to animals or learning about nature, this book will feed their desire for learning and I bet the parents will learn something too. If anything, it will also help a child notice the details whether it is the feathers from a bird in your yard or a butterfly that visits a flower.
Since there are nearly 10,000 species of birds alone, she obviously couldn't share all of them here in the book. Instead, she gives a brief overview of their traits related to flying...or not....their personalities, and their talents. Then she moves on to insects and fish. Through amazing illustrations, she shares the detailed designs and the intricate beauty of some of these amazing creatures.
Each illustration is named and the detail makes you think you are looking at a photograph rather than an illustration. This is an over-sized book with a hardcover and thick pages to withstand many page-turns with a child.
Dictionary pages in each section give a brief description of the bird, insect, or fish. It's amazing the different varieties of birds, insects, and fish and the unique use of their particular style of feather or beak or scale or fin.
For children who are attracted to animals or learning about nature, this book will feed their desire for learning and I bet the parents will learn something too. If anything, it will also help a child notice the details whether it is the feathers from a bird in your yard or a butterfly that visits a flower.
February 21, 2019
Artists and scientists, during the 17th and 18th centuries, would travel to other lands and document birds insects and fish. These explorations were commissioned by Kings and Queens. These drawings, sketches and engravings are now considered to be works of art.
Within these pages readers will find beautiful birds sketched in their natural colors and some in black and white. There are sections where readers can learn more about each one presented. Dragon flies, beetles and butterflies are drawn with great detail and fantastic color. There are sketches of fish fins and stories of stingrays. Each section has a glossary so readers can see the names and details about these amazing creatures. Artist will love this book as a guide to creating their own works of art. Parents and teachers can use this guide to teach anatomy and so much more.
Within these pages readers will find beautiful birds sketched in their natural colors and some in black and white. There are sections where readers can learn more about each one presented. Dragon flies, beetles and butterflies are drawn with great detail and fantastic color. There are sketches of fish fins and stories of stingrays. Each section has a glossary so readers can see the names and details about these amazing creatures. Artist will love this book as a guide to creating their own works of art. Parents and teachers can use this guide to teach anatomy and so much more.
March 9, 2019
I love this over-sized book SO much! It is one of the most stunning books I have ever seen. It is one of those books that needs to be on coffee tables, in the your home library and school libraries and given as a gift. I have looked at it so many times and I am still in awe of how beautiful it is. It has everything that I love about books in this genre. It is over-sized, informative, artistically laid out, stunning and filled with facts that are worth reading. This books content includes: Birds through a magnifying glass; Hens, turkeys, pheasants and the like; Insects of all types; And now for the butterflies...; Natural sailors; More underwater beauties and A festival of fish. A must read, must own book!
February 21, 2019
If you are searching for a book that looks at the wonderful world of nature close-up, I definitely recommend checking out Wonders of Nature: Explorations in the World of Birds, Insects, and Fish written and illustrated by Florence Guiraud from Prestel Publishing. The gorgeous and detailed illustrations capture the wondrous beauty that populates the oceans, forests, and fields of the world. Created for children between the ages of 5 and 9, the book is sure to astound readers of all ages as well. With my own little nature lovers combing through the pages, Wonders of Nature is a new favorite in my house!
March 2, 2019
Wonders of Nature is a truly wonderful book. It reminds me of an encyclopedia, but the illustrations are so much more than the typical encyclopedia. It’s an encyclopedia that is also art.
For the full review: https://twobookwormsblog.wordpress.co...
For the full review: https://twobookwormsblog.wordpress.co...
March 6, 2019
This book is absolutely stunning! The illustrations are masterfully done, the fun facts every now and then are fascinating, and the detail is just magnificent. My 3-year-old has been obsessed with this book ever since we checked it out. I am seriously considering purchasing this book.
September 28, 2021
Great illustrations, although slightly cartoon. Isn't my favorite format, but still a great book.
May 24, 2022
We loved the illustrations in this book! James & I picked out our favorite ones on each page.
January 11, 2019
Wonders of Nature: Explorations in the World of Birds, Insects and Fish is an absolutely stunning and wondrous book! Florence Guiraud masterfully brings the worlds of birds, insects, and fish to life in the most vibrant, mesmerizing, and heartwarming ways through her gorgeous illustrations. Easily understood informative text accompanies her illustrations, creating an experience that is both educational and fun. Readers of all ages will be moved and charmed by this gaspworthy beauty!
January 23, 2022
Illustration research. I read this book several times during a horrid week. Such an interesting little book. The fish tail drawings are especially lovely.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews