This Book Is Literally Just Pictures of Animals Silently Judging You

by Smith Street Books (Editor)

This book is here to give us all the side eye, showcasing our friends from the animal kingdom at their very sassiest.

If the utter chaos of recent world events has taught us anything, it's that people are bad at making decisions. So, in uncertain times, we need someone to tell us like it is - and that someone is animals.

As its title suggests, this book is literally just pictures of animals silently judging you and your life choices. Some of these a monkey who knows what you did last night, giraffes who can't believe you're wearing that, cats who just can't, and a corgi who isn't angry - just disappointed.

Toward these sage angels we must turn, in these weird times for humankind, to help us make better decisions - for ourselves and our furry friends who are, honestly, kind of embarrassed.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals

96 pages, Hardcover

Published October 5, 2021

Reviews

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

The photos selected do all clearly suggest that the viewer is being judged. Reader, you're in trouble.

The animals are a nice variety with recognizable exotics amidst the common cats and dogs. The arrangement is brilliant with grouping and juxtapositions.

Minor issues I had: I'd have preferred a slightly different cropping and positioning on some of the two-page spreads, because the gutter location pulled my focus. Also, it was odd not to see a list of credits for the photos, which I would have read, because I do, not because it is particularly meaningful for me. That's just a thing I am used to seeing.

The best part is how happy-making an array of sternly disapproving critters can be. Who knew a non-smiling quokka was kust as emchanting? I need more books of photos of critters. Literally.

Personal copy and the only book I bought on my trip to Massachusetts, because I still have unread books from my last three jaunts.

[Moonbean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although my favorite was the one with the Sleepy Critters, this is cute too.

Although I think that Koala has it in for me...

[sveldhoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Does what it says on the tin.

[Pia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely is not a misleading title (except for the duck, he's laughing out loud)

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as a Christmas gift today and found it absolutely delightful. My only criticism is that it could have been even cuter if there had been some short captions with the photos, but I really enjoyed flipping through them and laughing at the photos. There is zero text in this book so it's really more of a photo collection than anything, but I found it really funny and charming and had to leave a positive review anyway.

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was as cute as others in the series, but I take objection to its premise: the animals pictured are not judging you*, that is just an anthropomorphic interpretation of their expressions, especially as most animals do not have faces as expressive as humans.

*a few animals seem to be judging the photographer at least, which is the viewpoint of "you," the reader, but only in the sense of trying to figure out if there is some sort of threat, or if other action is called for.

[Megan (ReadingRover) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Just pics of regular animals. I felt like there was really nothing special here. No poses, no captions, most of the photos were just straight up photos of animals at regular angles. So much more could have been done with this. I definitely didn’t get a judgy vibe from the majority of them. It felt like there was really just a lack of effort put in. 2 stars

[Nkosazana ✨☕️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freaking adorable. That is all, lmao.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who won't enjoy this book? It is exactly as the title says. I love animals and love pictures of animals, so I found this to be a real treat

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute!

[Isis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is adorable!

[Elza · Rating 2 out of 5]

What the cover said: (Funny) "pictures of animals silently judging you."

[Morgan Rutherford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, like the title says it’s just a bunch of animals judging you! 😂