<i>Andrew Zuckerman's</i> Creature ABC

If kids had coffee tables, "Creature ABC" would be on them. It's an absolutely gorgeous book. In fact, it could very well be the sort of book that people buy for kids, look at 'carefully' with kids, and then put away for their children's children.

Which is to say that Andrew Zuckerman's photography and layout is amazing.

What you will fine in Mr. Zuckerman's book are various pictures of animals associated with letters of the alphabet. This, of course, is nothing new. But what makes these images special is the perspective and how everything is placed on the white-white background.

For example, for the letter "A" we have Alligator. Four pages for him. On one page there is only giant upper and lower case A's. On the two following pages there is our gator friend, in all his glory, along with the word 'alligator'. But what really struck me as wondrous, was the picture of his foot on the very first page. It's a macro shot and just stunning. You can see the remarkable bumpiness of the alligator's skin, and these long toenails. One amazing foot (that looks like it's had a pedicure).

Not all creatures have the same treatment. The elephant, with it's huge foot is shown up close along with another photo which is a head shot; but not the dove. With it's sweet pictures we get a sense of motion as she is caught in mid-flight. Other creatures are treated as a category. "I", for example, is for insects.

But no matter which letter/animal you choose, the images and poses are interesting. (The lion looks like he's had a glamour shot :)

Do check this one out. It's definitely worth a look.

Talking Points :::
o Amazing photography. The depth and clarity of the shots defies easy description.

o The paper is very nice: semi-gloss and thicker than normal.

o This book would make an excellent gift. I think there are elements that can be appreciated even by older children.

Pam
Somewhere in the X-burbs