This book has been a favourite in every one of my classrooms. It was always well loved, and I can still remember the excitement as children discovered something new hiding in the illustrations each time, we opened the book.
Created by the brilliant Graeme Base, Animalia takes readers on an alphabetic adventure, with every page packed with extraordinary detail. From the very first glance at the front cover, there is an invitation to look closely. What can you spot? What might you have missed? What will you discover next time?
And then there is the language!
Alliteration is one of the standout features of this book. Each letter introduces a playful collection of words beginning with the same sound, creating phrases that are delicious to say aloud. Animalia makes playing with language feel like fun rather than work, and there is something wonderfully satisfying about hearing children repeat those tongue-twisting phrases with enormous smiles.
Of course, the illustrations are where the real treasure hunt begins. Every spread is filled with fascinating details, tiny characters and clever visual surprises. It is the perfect book for curious minds, keen observers and anyone who loves art.
In the classroom
There are so many ways to turn Animalia into a springboard for learning.
Lucky dip a letter and challenge learners to generate as many powerful or interesting words as they can. Can they find words they have never used before?
Invite learners to choose an animal they adore and create their own Animalia-style page using alliteration. An animal, a collection of carefully chosen words and a whole lot of imagination can result in some fabulous writing.
Publish writing into individual posters, create colourful bunting for the classroom or collate the pages into a class book for everyone to enjoy.
And at home? Simply choose a page and look closely together. Ask, “What can you see?” then “What else?” You might be surprised by how long one page can keep a child talking, laughing and searching.
I was also delighted to see the beautiful 40th anniversary collector’s edition, complete with foiling. It is a gorgeous celebration of an Australian picture book classic. I particularly adore the genuine message from Graeme Base on the title page. It feels like a lovely little connection between the creator and the readers who have loved Animalia across generations.
And now there is even more Animalia fun with the release of a colouring book, giving young artists another opportunity to step inside Graeme Base’s wonderfully detailed world.
Forty years on, Animalia still has the magic. It encourages children to look closely, listen carefully, play with language and notice the extraordinary in the ordinary.
If you have an old classroom favourite that still has children gathering around the pages, pull it off the shelf and share it again. And if Animalia is new to your family or classroom, prepare to lose yourself in the details!
Title: Animalia 40th Anniversary Edition
Author /Illustrator: Graeme Base
Publisher: Penguin
Publication Date: 1st of September 2026
Format: Hard Back
ISBN: 9781761622311
For ages: 5+
Type: Picture Book
