Animalium: Welcome to the Museum

“Animalium” is a natural history museum in book form. “Curated” by Katie Scoot and Jenny Broom, this exquisitely illustrated volume presents an overview of the diversity of earth’s life forms. Presented as classes and arranged in evolutionary order showing the development through the ages, each chapter focuses on several of the species making up that class.Following the introduction or “Entrance”, a two-page illustration shows the Tree of Animal Life. This section provides an overview of the content of “Animalium” and leads into the more specific “Galleries” (chapters) of the text. Each set of two facing pages within the Gallery consists of a page containing a brief discussion and a key to the illustrations shown on the facing page, designated as a plate. The final set of facing pages in each Gallery holds a discussion of the habitat of the animals within the Gallery and an illustration incorporating those specific animals discussed on the preceding pages.The illustrations alone make “Animalium” a volume that anyone who appreciates artwork will want to add to their personal library. Softly colored pictures have the appearance of hand-drawn pen and ink illustrations that were common in naturalists’ journals during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Printed on heavy, ivory or aged ivory-colored pages – the page color was not consistent throughout the book - the entire volume seems to be a vintage book that one might discover in an attic or antique emporium. The inconsistency of page color may have been deliberate. Nevertheless, this does not detract from the overall appeal of the book.The text of “Animalium” is informative, but brief. Each section of the Galleries begins with a short paragraph about the subject of that Gallery. The Latin name follows the more common name of each creature illustrated on the facing page. Information about the animal’s size, and with a few exceptions, a brief paragraph about each creature follows the introductory paragraph.“Animalium” and the information it contains are based on the theory of Evolution; no other theories – Creationism or Evolutionary Creationism – are discussed in the text. Conservative individuals may find this aspect of the book conflicts with their own core beliefs.“Animalium” is a beautiful volume that is suitable for display as a coffee table book – it measures approximately 14 7/8” X 10 7/8” – or as a book for anyone, regardless of age, who is fascinated by the animal kingdom. Five stars!

This is my ten year old daughter's favorite book. She loves books. She loves bugs. She loves animals. She lives science. This book just satisfies so much for her. I finally bought it after checking it out literally every trip to the library.The illustrations are beautiful. The selections are well chosen. There are not a million examples chosen for each class of animal, which I am grateful for. It is elegant and thoughtful.My daughter uses this for art...examples to copy. She is learning how scientists classify animals from it. She has learned several new species from it. It helps calm her...she has so.e anxiety and insomnia and looking through this beautiful book brings her calm.Some reviews stated that the evolutionary perspective was a downfall. I disagree although I am an creationist. There is so much this book offers. There is no reason to discard it for an opposing viewpoint. The information is still correct and it is still a beautiful example of the creatures in this world.

This is absolutely the most gorgeous book. I was led to buy Animalium through a Montessori blog for my toddler. At two years old, the book stands at half his length. He seems to do fine with looking through it while seated on the ground, or standing over it while placed on his bed. I don't think that this would be the best book for a toddler that hasn't yet learned how to be gentle with his books, except of course if someone is helping him with it. My son loves getting his toy animals and finding them in the pages of Animalium. I realize that most people wouldn't buy this sort of book for a toddler, but Montessori recommends providing the most beautiful books at as early of an age as you can. My husband is an artist, and his jaw dropped when he saw this book! I may have to buy a second one for him. He was instantly curious as to whether the artist had any other books available. Animalium is an amazing book for any artist looking to reference animals and sea life, or just beautiful color palettes. The artwork has a vintage feel to it. I'd gladly hang any of it in my own home, which makes it nice that posters are also available for purchase! I think this book would be loved by all ages! I don't see how anyone could ever regret purchasing it. Please let me know if this review was helpful to you!

I’ll be honest, I mainly got this book for the artwork. I thought it would be a fun book to use to practice my drawing and painting with. It absolutely is. I think it is also a neat way to lay out a book for teaching about animals and seems like it would be a succinct amount of information for children. I just think it’s gorgeous and would be a great coffee table book too.

I bought this for my son for his birthday and I think it's just the neatest book for kids of all ages! I have 5 kids ranging from 2-12 and they all love it. I love looking through it often as well. The illustrations are so beautiful. It really is like walking into a Natural History Museum. And come on people... this is a book about REAL animals... REAL natural history. Therefore evolution and Darwinism will be implied, which is absolutely to be expected. I couldn't imagine anyone expecting otherwise. If you want a book that supports the fables of the bible, then read the bible.

I'm considering homeschooling my 11 year old stepson. He's really into science and I'm an eclectic Charlotte Mason Education homeschool mom.I wanted my stepson and my husband to experience firsthand the contents of a rich, beautifully illustrated, living book. This book is absolutely fantastic and their facial expressions were better than Christmas morning!As a 23 year homeschool mom, I highly recommend this book and series!