The New Alphabet Of Animals

by Christopher Wormell

Christopher Wormell's magnificent, color-drenched linoleum-block illustrations grace this alphabet book, so handsomely designed it's sure to appeal to discriminating adults as well as to children. The award-winning British artist, whose previous work An Alphabet of Animals took the top graphics prize at the 1990 Bologna Children's Book Fair, has created all new artwork for his latest interpretation of the alphabet, featuring glorious images of animals from armadillo to zorilla (a skunklike creature).

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

64 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Christopher Wormell is an English printmaker, principally known for his illustrated books.

Reviews

[Kate M. Colby]

Jack borrowed this book from the Oxford Public Library. I picked it because he has become super interested in the alphabet and has always loved animals.

He wanted to "read" it to himself in the car on the way home from the library. Then, Dada read it to him while we were out, Jack has flipped through the pages on his own, and I have read it again since. It has some really interesting animals, some of which we'd never met before.

[Savani]

A bit old school, but I liked the majority of the animal selection.

[Kaileigh]

My son really loved the illustrations!

[Kristen]

We bought this as a companion to "Teeth, Tails, & Tentacles" and it has the same printmaking style of illustrations. I learned about some animals that I had never heard of before, but Oscar will probably grow up thinking they're run-of-the-mill ABC types. He'll be dismayed to find out that Z is usually for zebra, not zorilla. Zorilla?!

[Tracy]

I was worried I wouldn't like this as much as Teeth, Tentacles, and Tails. But it was fantastic. Both the uppercase and lowercase letters are shown on one page with a beautifully rendered animal on the facing page. A major selling point is the pages before the title page where each illustration is paired with its letter in miniature. It's great for singing the ABC's with your child.

[Sara]

I love the beautiful, clear illustrations of this book and its predecessor. I am only slightly disappointed that the xenops (bird) is used in both versions. Other animal alphabet books could have surely given some suggestions for other X-named animals.

[Mckinley]

Not sure what makes this one 'new'. However, lovely and simple animal illustrations with no words only upper and lower case letter with name of animal underneath. For similar style with numbers see Teeth, Tails, & Tentacles: An Animal Counting Book.

[Kelly]

Beautifully laid out. Lovely illustrations (linoleum-block, says the back of the book). Some unusual animals here, such as the newt, ibex, and kingfisher. Great for both of my boys (3.5 yrs. & 1.5 yrs.).

[Jude Gravois]

This isn't a story, just the alphabet with a wonderful wood engraved illustration of an animal for each letter.

[Ryan]

Honestly they could have worked harder on the selections. Zorilla instead of zebra? A fun little book though, and the kids just love it.

[Amy]

There is one animal illustration per letter. We tried to guess what animal would be on the next page. Some were impossible (Narwhal? Umbrella Bird?)

[Selkie]

Beautiful, retro-style artwork.

[Sarah]

Beautiful...perfect for toddlers.