The New Alphabet Of Animals

The New Alphabet Of Animals

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). From Publishers Weekly Wormell, whose first book, An Alphabet of Animals, was published in 1990 and captured the Bologna Graphics Prize, once again sets his abecedary apart from the herd through sheer force of artistry. Though the concept is a familiar one each turn of the page reveals a letter (both capital and lowercase) and a corresponding animal, from the Southwestern Armadillo to the African Zorilla (a skunk-like creature) the arrestingly beautiful wood engravings lift the book to a lofty level. Clean, sharp lines and a simplicity of composition that borders on stark define each illustration, while the animals themselves are strikingly iconic. Outlined in thick, dark strokes accented with gorgeous washes of color, each is placed in a setting that, with just a few telling details, suggests its natural habitat. An owl perches on a branch, for instance, against a serrated edge of trees lit up by a lilac night sky; the less familiar ibex (a mountain goat) stands against snowy peaks. A gifted colorist, Wormell creates hues that melt from one shade to another like a cloudless sunset. All ages.Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. About the Author Christopher Wormell is the celebrated English wood engraver whose illustrated books are collected and loved throughout the world. His first children's book, An Alphabet of Animals, won the prestigious Graphics Prize at the Bologna International Children's Book Fair and has been reprinted in numerous editions. His other children's book titles include Mowgli's Brothers, Blue Rabbit and Friends, Blue Rabbit and the Runaway Wheel, Animal Train, Off to the Fair, and George and the Dragon. Wormell lives in London with his wife and three children.