La ciudad de los animales

by Joan Negrescolor

rare book

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Fiction, Storytime, Nature

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2017

Reviews

[Mehsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful book about a little girl who has her own special place, a ruined city, which she calls animal city.


I read this book in Dutch, but decided to write my review in English. I am so glad that I found this book at the library, I just fell in love with the gorgeous cover. The bright colours. And the question.. what happened to the city?

Even now after reading the book I wonder what happened to the city, is this how it is like in other places around the world? Because it came across as very dystopian. As if people had to abandon everything in a hurry, leaving everything as it was. Just like what you can see in Chernobyl. Since the girl can seemingly read, I am guessing there may be humans left. Maybe even this city had to be abandoned for a reason. But yes, I am confused. I know that I am probably overthinking it, but I cannot help it! XD

Meet our little girl, she is about to go to her favourite place, a place all her friends gather. And no, not human friends, but animals. And the animals have one thing they want our MC to do for them, read them stories. Stories about dragons, about animals, about mysteries, about creepy things. The girl does so with enthusiasm. Along the way we learn that each animal has their preferences and they share one big preference.

I loved that this book is about reading, about literacy, about sharing stories.

It was quite interesting to see the city, to see what was left, and how things were spread around. Again, like people left in a hurry (I need answers!). I love seeing the girl have a great time in the city, either alone or with her friends.

The art was just WOW. I love the colours used, they are so pretty and mix and match so well with each other.

I would definitely recommend this book. It is a really cute and beautiful book.

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[Alexandra Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A BEAUTIFULLY illustrated story about a girl and her special place where humans used to roam, but now animals and plants have reclaimed!

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book originally published in Portugal, a girl named Nina enjoys spending time in a secret place where wild animals have taken over the city. She enjoys each step of her journey to this special place, and even looks for forgotten treasures left behind by others. For some reason, the animals love listening to her read stories, and they all have different preferences and favorites. Some young readers may be intrigued with the idea of a girl who shares her love for literacy with her animal friends and wonder if it is her voice or the stories that charm them and keep them hanging out peacefully when she is nearby while others will wonder what happened to all the humans who once lived in that city. As for me, I smiled at the thought of animals venturing into an area that once was almost forbidden to them and repurposing its buildings and land for their own needs. The digital illustrations are filled with bright colors that may appeal to young eyes more than to mine. I felt a bit overwhelmed by all the yellows and oranges layered together on some of the pages.

[Jaclyn Pierce-Moran · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 2 year old loves this book! The illustrations are great and there are lots of fun things to find. There aren't toxic messages like when a book is trying to make some profound point to small children, it's just a cute little story and my daughter loves finding all of the animals hidden/not hidden throughout.

[Francis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Premier album que je lis qui aborde le genre post-apocalyptique de front. Le livre nous montre l'histoire d'une qui, de temps en temps, entre dans cette ville où la nature a repris ses droits, pour raconter des histoires. Malgré cette prémisse intéressante, il ne se passe pas grand chose dans ce livre, qui ne semble qu'être un prétexte pour montrer comment notre monde ressemblerait après nous. Des illustrations parfois complexes à décortiquer, puisque les couleurs créent un effet optique plutôt troublant lors de la lecture. Un bel essai, bref, mais qui plaira plus aux amateurs de beaux albums qu'aux enfants en tant que tel...

[Veronica Molina · Rating 4 out of 5]

La tapa es continuada pero la separa el lomo. Una lástima, porque la interrumpe.
Me gustó mucho la narrativa y la construcción del mundo. Me llama la atención en especial la página que habla de que los animales son los protagonistas, pero no sale ninguno.
Me gusta el título, porque realmente es eso... una ciudad, solo que habitada por animales.
Tiene varias capas. Es una lectura compleja que requiere varias leídas. y ofrece mucho por descubrir en casa pasada.
Buena fuente y collores. Me gusta que las guardas sean de distintos colores al inicio y al final.
A ratos el estilo de ilustración me hace pensar en una impresión para ser vista con lentes 3D.

[FM Family · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't freaked out by this book, like some other reviewers, I found it interesting but ultimately there wasn't a lot there. I feel like if it was your specific ambiance though, you'd love it. So if you like bright and colourful, but somewhat opaque and mysterious along with animals, this is the book for you! My three year old's attention wasn't really held, but I'd come back to the story again later when she's older and can be a bit more interested in how this City came to be.

[Mariah · Rating 5 out of 5]

An allegory for the intrinsic childhood joys of reading, Animal City is the type of children’s picture book that an adult should read aloud very slowly, allowing time for discovery, and children will want to open, read it, and discover even more again and again, and then perhaps they will read it in their city or jungle to their animals.

[Kaitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are 5 stars all the way; Joan is clearly a very talented artist. The text just leaves a bit to be desired.

[June · Rating 2 out of 5]

Vibrant pictures are the excuse for a not very clear story of a girl who visits part? of the city where animals have taken over and reads to them...?

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked it, but didn't love it.

[Syntha Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

A dreamy sort of story

[Jae · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's like a literary short story in that it's just kind of a snapshot of some stuff happening with no real narrative structure, but it's so nice to look at.

[Jes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a great story time book, but the illustrations are stunning.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the artwork in this book. Vibrant colors.

[molliekay]

I love the illustrations, but I was left asking myself what it was about. I'll have to think about this one some more.

[Samantha · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dit vond ik echt een flut prentenboek. Onduidelijke tekeningen en een nietszeggend verhaal.

[Maquandolofai unfiglio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vorrei ritagliare le pagine e farne quadri perché le illustrazioni sono pazzesche. Con Mr P più che leggere la storia giochiamo a cercare la protagonista nelle pagine e a nominare gli animali.

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Engagingly illustrated. Much shorter than anticipated.