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Bembo's Zoo: An Animal ABC Book
A stylish animal alphabet book with illustrations created from the letters in each animal's name.
Bold color and simple yet striking graphics make a unique alphabet book that will appeal to readers of all ages. The Bembo typeface is one of the most elegant of the classic typefaces, and its clean, graceful lines inspired the artist to use the letters in a wholly new way. From antelope to zebra-with such exotic beasts as iguanas and narwhals in between-this menagerie of animals has been created with only the shapes of the letters in each animal's name. Children will have fun playing "I spy" with the letters in each picture, and adults will admire the sophisticated art and sleek design of this sumptuous book.
Bold color and simple yet striking graphics make a unique alphabet book that will appeal to readers of all ages. The Bembo typeface is one of the most elegant of the classic typefaces, and its clean, graceful lines inspired the artist to use the letters in a wholly new way. From antelope to zebra-with such exotic beasts as iguanas and narwhals in between-this menagerie of animals has been created with only the shapes of the letters in each animal's name. Children will have fun playing "I spy" with the letters in each picture, and adults will admire the sophisticated art and sleek design of this sumptuous book.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 8, 2008
Summary (CIP): An alphabet book which uses the shape of the roman letters in the Bembo font style to create illustrations of animals.
REVIEW: This alphabet book is not aimed for the youngest learning their letters, but more for older kids playing with letters in an I Spy-type format. Bembo is the name of the ornate serif font type, which lends itself to forming the shape of each animal with only the letters of its name (‘crab’ uses only c,r,a,b’s). The graphics are visually stunning and high relief with only five colors – be sure and check out the peacock and the ‘x-ray wolf’! As an extra bonus, check out the companion website (www.bemboszoo.com/Bembo.swf - need Flash); each letter of the alphabet will form itself into its animal right in front of you...and maybe walk off the page.
PW: Positive. "This high-concept abecedary, the picture book debut for de Vicq de Cumptich, should delight collectors of stylish picture books and aficionados of the graphic arts."
SLJ: Positive. "Children who know the alphabet will delight in discerning the animals and discovering the individual letters within the witty and elegant pages."
REVIEW: This alphabet book is not aimed for the youngest learning their letters, but more for older kids playing with letters in an I Spy-type format. Bembo is the name of the ornate serif font type, which lends itself to forming the shape of each animal with only the letters of its name (‘crab’ uses only c,r,a,b’s). The graphics are visually stunning and high relief with only five colors – be sure and check out the peacock and the ‘x-ray wolf’! As an extra bonus, check out the companion website (www.bemboszoo.com/Bembo.swf - need Flash); each letter of the alphabet will form itself into its animal right in front of you...and maybe walk off the page.
PW: Positive. "This high-concept abecedary, the picture book debut for de Vicq de Cumptich, should delight collectors of stylish picture books and aficionados of the graphic arts."
SLJ: Positive. "Children who know the alphabet will delight in discerning the animals and discovering the individual letters within the witty and elegant pages."
July 7, 2007
Oh my goodness I LOVE this book. I'm so upset that it's no longer in print it's such a wonderful alphabet book with beautiful graphic illustrations. We have a copy at U of W and if you get a chance you should take a peek at it. Normally I'm not crazy about alphabet books but when I happened upon this one while working at the Suzzallo ref desk. I just stared at each page in wonder and delight...I swear I was four years old again.
Luckly Roberto de Vicq de Cumptich has a website for this book. There's a link below go there and play around sooooo creative and fun!!
[http://www.bemboszoo.com/]
Luckly Roberto de Vicq de Cumptich has a website for this book. There's a link below go there and play around sooooo creative and fun!!
[http://www.bemboszoo.com/]
April 30, 2010
This has to be the coolest ABC book I've ever read. Each letter is represented by an animal (A is an antelope, Z is a zebra), and each animal is composed of the letters that make up its name ("Bembo" is the name of the font). The color scheme is simple but eye-catching. The peacock is my favorite, I think.
January 29, 2015
Great example of using type as an image.
April 8, 2015
Every child should have this book.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews