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Most of the Better Natural Things in the World
A tiger carries a dining room chair on her back. But why? Where is she going? With just one word per page, in lush, color-rich landscapes, we learn about the features that make up our world: an archipelago, a dune, an isthmus, a lagoon. Across them all, the tiger roams. An enigmatic investigation of our world's most beautiful places from bestselling author Dave Eggers, beautifully illustrated by debut artist Angel Chang.
• Each page introduces young readers to a different geographic element—from archipelagos to lagoons to gorges
• Universal story of a mother's arduous journey back to her family
• Quirky and enigmatic story with hipster appeal
Fans of Symphony City, Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn, Curiousitree, and Natural Wonders of the World will love this book.
This book is perfect for:
• Parents and grandparents
• Teachers
• Fans of Dave Eggers or McSweeney's
• Fans of wildlife or animal lovers
• Art book lovers
• Each page introduces young readers to a different geographic element—from archipelagos to lagoons to gorges
• Universal story of a mother's arduous journey back to her family
• Quirky and enigmatic story with hipster appeal
Fans of Symphony City, Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn, Curiousitree, and Natural Wonders of the World will love this book.
This book is perfect for:
• Parents and grandparents
• Teachers
• Fans of Dave Eggers or McSweeney's
• Fans of wildlife or animal lovers
• Art book lovers
52 pages, Hardcover
First published November 5, 2019
7 people are currently reading
206 people want to read
About the author
Dave Eggers
342 books9,548 followersDave Eggers is an American writer, editor, and publisher. He is best known for his 2000 memoir, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, which became a bestseller and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction. Eggers is also the founder of several notable literary and philanthropic ventures, including the literary journal Timothy McSweeney's Quarterly Concern, the literacy project 826 Valencia, and the human rights nonprofit Voice of Witness. Additionally, he founded ScholarMatch, a program that connects donors with students needing funds for college tuition. His writing has appeared in numerous prestigious publications, including The New Yorker, Esquire, and The New York Times Magazine.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
July 27, 2022
Wonderful book that introduces young children to different geographic landscapes - art is gorgeous! Books like this help children broaden their perspective on how big the world really is. I think that anything that gives our children such a perspective can only add to a deeper understanding of how we all fit into the complex global picture.
November 28, 2019
I know the title makes this book sound like a pretentious literary novel, but it's actually a fairly simple picture book. Even though it features a tiger with a chair strapped to its back, it's really a non-fiction work that shows and explains various types of geographical features.
The bulk of the book is just the illustrations captioned with the terms of the features: steppe, fjord, archipelago, etc. I thought there was even a geographical feature called "dlands", but this seems to be just an error in the e-book (in both the OverDrive and PDF versions). The word is actually "badlands", as we see when we get to the end section, which gives brief explanations for the terms. Personally, I enjoyed this section the most (the book would've been missing something without it), although there are a couple of caveats. First, the definition of "fjord" isn't quite right; although they're formed by glaciers, they aren't always covered in ice. Second, the vocabulary is pretty advanced in some of these definitions, with words like "largely", "plentiful", "dramatic", "scope", "subsoil", and "biomes". I think some of those are beyond the reading level of much of this book's audience (and I don't even know what "subsoil" is)!
The illustrations are certainly colourful, and it's kind of neat to watch the tiger move through the landscapes. Where is it going? What is the chair for? The reader does eventually find out at the cute ending.
Since much of this book's value lies in the end matter, and that end matter isn't entirely suited to the audience, I'm not sure if I'd recommend this one. It does a good job of explaining the various geographical formations... but only if you have the vocabulary to understand what the book is trying to say.
The bulk of the book is just the illustrations captioned with the terms of the features: steppe, fjord, archipelago, etc. I thought there was even a geographical feature called "dlands", but this seems to be just an error in the e-book (in both the OverDrive and PDF versions). The word is actually "badlands", as we see when we get to the end section, which gives brief explanations for the terms. Personally, I enjoyed this section the most (the book would've been missing something without it), although there are a couple of caveats. First, the definition of "fjord" isn't quite right; although they're formed by glaciers, they aren't always covered in ice. Second, the vocabulary is pretty advanced in some of these definitions, with words like "largely", "plentiful", "dramatic", "scope", "subsoil", and "biomes". I think some of those are beyond the reading level of much of this book's audience (and I don't even know what "subsoil" is)!
The illustrations are certainly colourful, and it's kind of neat to watch the tiger move through the landscapes. Where is it going? What is the chair for? The reader does eventually find out at the cute ending.
Since much of this book's value lies in the end matter, and that end matter isn't entirely suited to the audience, I'm not sure if I'd recommend this one. It does a good job of explaining the various geographical formations... but only if you have the vocabulary to understand what the book is trying to say.
December 5, 2019
This portfolio of lush, vivid illustrations by debut picture book artist Angel Chang deserves better than to be bookended by a snotty title that is kind of an in-joke for people familiar with colonial-era natural history compendia (oh we know who we are) and an occasionally-inaccurate glossary of geography terms.
Like honestly it's a book of these notebook covers, with arguably less text content:
Like honestly it's a book of these notebook covers, with arguably less text content:
December 29, 2019
Most of the Better Natural Things in the World weaves fiction and non-fiction in a magnificent way that features both facts about landscape and a question about the sole tiger with a chair on her back: just where is she going? She travels through deserts and mountains and archipelagos in order to reach her destination, and in doing so experiences some beautiful sights. In the back features a list of all the illustrations and landscapes featured and just what makes them different from each other. Overall, this is great for the young one who enjoys nature and loves exploring, and great for grades K-2.
Review cross-listed here!
Review cross-listed here!
February 1, 2021
Featured in a grandma reads session.
This author and artist have teamed up to help display a variety of landforms and where they are found on earth. The main parts of the book are pictures and the name of that landform: steppe, gorge, valley, plain, cloud forest, fjord, etc. There is a glossary at the end that goes in to a little more detail, but not much. Still, it kept the interest of the older kids. Our youngest faded on this one.
Overall a good choice, and it was fun to hear them saying the words over, and trying them out in their own mouths.
This author and artist have teamed up to help display a variety of landforms and where they are found on earth. The main parts of the book are pictures and the name of that landform: steppe, gorge, valley, plain, cloud forest, fjord, etc. There is a glossary at the end that goes in to a little more detail, but not much. Still, it kept the interest of the older kids. Our youngest faded on this one.
Overall a good choice, and it was fun to hear them saying the words over, and trying them out in their own mouths.
March 4, 2020
angel chang’s art style is literally to die for 😍
childrens-books
January 9, 2022
September 2, 2019
Beautiful art. And I loved the reason for the chair.
June 18, 2020
This beautiful picture book shares a white Bengal tiger's journey around and through most of the better natural things in the world. From the plains to a river gorge, through an estuary to an atoll, this tiger travels near and far, sharing each and every new discovery on his journey.
With gorgeous full-color illustrations, this book shares many natural geographic landscapes that can be found around the world, from islands to mountains to the valleys and forests in between.
With only one word describing the landscape on each page, this book is simple and quick to get through, but there's a visual story mixed in with a fun and happy ending. There is a glossary at the end explaining each of these geographic landscapes and end pages with the world map on them!
This review was originally shared on Lazy Day Literature.
With gorgeous full-color illustrations, this book shares many natural geographic landscapes that can be found around the world, from islands to mountains to the valleys and forests in between.
With only one word describing the landscape on each page, this book is simple and quick to get through, but there's a visual story mixed in with a fun and happy ending. There is a glossary at the end explaining each of these geographic landscapes and end pages with the world map on them!
This review was originally shared on Lazy Day Literature.
January 23, 2020
I loved this! The art is incredibly lovely. There isn't much of a story other than a world-traveling tiger, and it's basically wordless besides geographical vocabulary words, but I was still utterly captivated. The back of the book has definitions for the vocab, e.g. "steppe", "taiga", "fjord", "gorge", etc. While there isn't a traditional story, I think this is the sort of book that little nerdy Emily would have loved to pore over again and again for the joy of the illustrations and advanced vocab (some of the words are fun to say!). Also the ending is super cute 😊
April 29, 2020
Lovely illustrations.
January 20, 2020
I loved the illustrations in this book; Angel Chang is someone I will be looking out for in the future. I liked Tiger's journey over he valleys, hills, tundra and all the other land masses that make up the natural world all on his way to lunch or dinner with his family.
January 9, 2020
A gorgeous book about a tiger bringing a chair across a huge variety of landforms.
January 8, 2020
Beautiful illustrations.
January 6, 2020
I adore this. Angel Chang, I am your fan for life.
January 7, 2020
Simple and beautiful with lots of new geographical vocabulary and a lovely ending
January 6, 2020
Amazing illustrations!
November 6, 2019
Pictures speak more than words and allow the vast world to open up through illustrations and a touch of imagination.
A white tiger sets out to visit various places around the world with a wooden chair bound to his back. But this isn't about continents, countries or specific places. Each illustration depicts a type of landscape: gorge, dunes, steppe and so forth. Only the name of the type of landscape being illustrated is placed in large text. The rest is carried by the beautiful illustrations.
This is a book for gazing. The colorful, lovely illustrations are the center point as various types of landscapes are put on display for young readers to discover. The addition of a white tiger with a chair on his back (and yes, this does have a purpose), puts a slightly curious twist, which lures readers to find out what the tiger is up to.
A wide range of landscape types is presented. Some of them will be familiar, many will not. It is a great way to introduce gets to some of the basics of geography and features. However, some types are more difficult (especially on the vocabulary end), such as archipelago, isthmus and chaparral. While it's great to introduce readers to new things, there are quite a few of these and I'm not sure most will be easily remembered. Luckily, there is a glossary at the end of the book to explain exactly what each of these is (which is helpful even for adults).
Summed up, this is a gorgeous picture book which allows young readers to be drawn up into various landscape features in a fun way.
I received a complimentary copy and found it so well illustrated that I wanted to leave my honest thoughts.
A white tiger sets out to visit various places around the world with a wooden chair bound to his back. But this isn't about continents, countries or specific places. Each illustration depicts a type of landscape: gorge, dunes, steppe and so forth. Only the name of the type of landscape being illustrated is placed in large text. The rest is carried by the beautiful illustrations.
This is a book for gazing. The colorful, lovely illustrations are the center point as various types of landscapes are put on display for young readers to discover. The addition of a white tiger with a chair on his back (and yes, this does have a purpose), puts a slightly curious twist, which lures readers to find out what the tiger is up to.
A wide range of landscape types is presented. Some of them will be familiar, many will not. It is a great way to introduce gets to some of the basics of geography and features. However, some types are more difficult (especially on the vocabulary end), such as archipelago, isthmus and chaparral. While it's great to introduce readers to new things, there are quite a few of these and I'm not sure most will be easily remembered. Luckily, there is a glossary at the end of the book to explain exactly what each of these is (which is helpful even for adults).
Summed up, this is a gorgeous picture book which allows young readers to be drawn up into various landscape features in a fun way.
I received a complimentary copy and found it so well illustrated that I wanted to leave my honest thoughts.
December 24, 2019
Absolutely gorgeous, minimal text, and pictures to spur any imagination.
December 19, 2019
A beautiful view into some often confusing and "big" words that describe the wonderful world that we live in.
December 16, 2019
There is not a lot to this book as far as plot, but the illustrations are so gorgeous that I highly recommend checking this out.
November 10, 2019
Just wow. I love it so much. I'll be using this for a few different storytimes, mostly for nature, but also for National Parks, camping, tigers, and family. Dave Eggers always hits me with emotions, and this did not disappoint.
November 7, 2019
Beautiful artwork and a sweet end.
November 15, 2019
Beautiful illustrations.
December 2, 2019
GORGEOUS!
December 10, 2019
Fantastic illustrations. Great vocabulary. Lovely book.
November 4, 2024
𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐬𝐡 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 "𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝", 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐲 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐄𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐥𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐲 𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠
🏔️🌊 🏞️🏝️🐅 The "Most of the Better Natural Things in the World," Dave Eggers presents a visually stunning collection that intricately weaves together landscapes and waterways, with a central narrative thread embodied by a tiger. At first glance, the book captivates with its vivid illustrations, inviting readers into a world of breathtaking natural beauties different Water and Landforms. The tiger, a magnificent creature, appears as a solitary figure navigating these diverse terrains—majestic mountains, serene lakes, and lush forests with the tiger.
🏔️🌊 🏞️🏝️🐅 However, as one delves deeper, particularly through the glossary that accompanies the artwork, an amazing story unfolds. It reveals that this tiger is not merely a symbol of wildness; rather, it is on a heartfelt journey to reunite with its family. Each landscape serves as a backdrop to the tiger's adventures, echoing the themes of longing and connection that resonate throughout the narrative.
🏔️🌊 🏞️🏝️🐅 The imagery, initially perceived as isolated scenes of nature, transforms into a collection of emotions—veach form capturing a moment in the tiger's odyssey. The gentle flow of rivers mirrors the passage of time, while the towering mountains signify the challenges faced along the way. This deeper understanding imbues the visuals with a warm charm, highlighting the bonds of family and the innate desire to return home.
🏔️🌊 🏞️🏝️🐅 Ultimately, the writer and illustrator has masterfully combines art and storytelling, creating a work that is both aesthetically pleasing and rich with emotional depth. The journey of the tiger becomes a metaphor for the universal quest for belonging, inviting readers to reflect on their own connections to nature and family. This heartwarming narrative, wrapped in a cloak of stunning illustrations, lingers long after the last page is turned, reminding us of the beauty found in both the natural world and the ties that bind us together.
🏔️🌊 🏞️🏝️🐅 The "Most of the Better Natural Things in the World," Dave Eggers presents a visually stunning collection that intricately weaves together landscapes and waterways, with a central narrative thread embodied by a tiger. At first glance, the book captivates with its vivid illustrations, inviting readers into a world of breathtaking natural beauties different Water and Landforms. The tiger, a magnificent creature, appears as a solitary figure navigating these diverse terrains—majestic mountains, serene lakes, and lush forests with the tiger.
🏔️🌊 🏞️🏝️🐅 However, as one delves deeper, particularly through the glossary that accompanies the artwork, an amazing story unfolds. It reveals that this tiger is not merely a symbol of wildness; rather, it is on a heartfelt journey to reunite with its family. Each landscape serves as a backdrop to the tiger's adventures, echoing the themes of longing and connection that resonate throughout the narrative.
🏔️🌊 🏞️🏝️🐅 The imagery, initially perceived as isolated scenes of nature, transforms into a collection of emotions—veach form capturing a moment in the tiger's odyssey. The gentle flow of rivers mirrors the passage of time, while the towering mountains signify the challenges faced along the way. This deeper understanding imbues the visuals with a warm charm, highlighting the bonds of family and the innate desire to return home.
🏔️🌊 🏞️🏝️🐅 Ultimately, the writer and illustrator has masterfully combines art and storytelling, creating a work that is both aesthetically pleasing and rich with emotional depth. The journey of the tiger becomes a metaphor for the universal quest for belonging, inviting readers to reflect on their own connections to nature and family. This heartwarming narrative, wrapped in a cloak of stunning illustrations, lingers long after the last page is turned, reminding us of the beauty found in both the natural world and the ties that bind us together.
August 8, 2022
This book was so sweet, accompanied with some stunning visuals! It is a picture book for children around five to eight years old. The book follows a tiger and their chair throughout different biomes of the earth. You follow along to see where this tiger is heading with this chair, but you see some magnificent environments on this long journey. The book is very tender in its message with themes of family and perseverance. The illustrations are truly breathtaking. The colors are so vibrant and work so well with each other. The white tiger and their yellow chair stand out from the colorful settings they are in. The motion of the main subject is also a bit whimsical. The tiger is standing, walking, swimming, and paddling a boat. It shows the different ways to travel and get around. There is nothing in this Tiger’s way! The book is also great in educating young children about the vast amount of different biomes on this planet. It makes me truly admire and appreciate this planet even more than I already do. I would use this book when teaching kids about the environment and earth. This book makes me want to see more of the world and help protect it.
January 13, 2020
An odd sort of book. The pages only have one word, describing a specific geographical feature illustrated on the page, but it's difficult in many of the pages to tell, without previous knowledge, what the word is describing. Pages like steppe and tundra would leave many parents grasping for a definition. Luckily there is a glossary in the back of the book, but either the parent needs to pre-read for knowledge - how exactly does one describe an atoll - or just be left looking at the illustrations. I can't imagine a small child getting a lot of understanding from this book, without having to read it several times, including the definitions in the back.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews