Gone Wild (Caldecott Honor Book) [Hardcover]

David McLimans (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Caldecott Honor Book

Feast your eyes on these amazing creatures before they disappear.  This stampede of wild animals, from Chinese Alligator to Grevy's Zebra, are so rare, they're all endangered.  David McLiman's bold and playful illustrations transform each letter into a work of art, graphically rendered with animal characteristics.  Scales, horns, even insect wings transform the alphabet into animated life.
 
Once you take this eye-opening safari, you'll never look at letters or animals with the same way again.  A striking work of art and a zoological adventure, Gone Wild is sure to be loved by children and adults alike.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3 Up–Although organized as a conventional alphabet book, the letters here are far from ordinary. McLimans has created a black-and-white iconic representation of 26 endangered animals, and his art is striking. For example, the newt's eyes protrude slightly from the sides of N, while its tongue emerges from the lower point. An accompanying box on each page includes a small, stylized red-and-white image of the animal plus information about its class, habitat, range, and threats to its survival. Back matter includes a paragraph about each creature along with a list of Web sites for organizations that help endangered animals and books for further reading. This title will serve more as a tool to raise awareness and a place to begin searching for information rather than as a source of facts. However, the arresting graphics and clean design will hold viewers' attention and create interest in the topic. The book could also serve as a starting point for art and design projects for students well above elementary school age.–Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato
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About the Author

David McLimans has won numerous awards for his editorial illustration, including an Award of Excellence from the Society of Newspaper Designers and a Certificate of Excellence from Print magazine.  His work has appeared the Washington Post, AIGA, Time, the New York Times, the Progressive, Atlantic Monthly, and Harper's. This is his first children's book.  He lives and works in Madison, Wisconsin.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Walker Childrens; First Edition edition (September 5, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802795633
• ISBN-13: 978-0802795632
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 11.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #342,894 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worthwhile addition to the home or school library, April 12, 2007

By 

D. Smith - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gone Wild (Hardcover)

Ostensibly about the alphabet, this book teaches so much more. Through clever illustrations, McLimans introduces children (and adults!) to a variety of endangered animals. Each page contains a stylized black-and-white illustration of the animal in the form of a letter along with a separate stylized red illustration of the animal. For instance, the head of the bald-headed Ukari is integrated into the shape of the letter U, while the entire animal is portrayed in red next to the letter design. Each page also contains facts about the animal (such as its natural habitat and potential threats).

Students, teachers, and parents interested in exotic or unusual animals or becoming more aware of environmental issues will find this book worthwhile. This book is appropriate for families or classrooms of mixed ages since younger children can practice their letters while older children can learn about these unusual and endangered animals.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wild and wonderful, May 21, 2007

By 

Joan B. Johnston "book it to me" (taunton,ma) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gone Wild (Caldecott Honor Book) (Hardcover)

this is a wonderfuly illustrated book that manages to incorporate the many species of endangered animals names with the letters of the alphabet.While I bought it for my grandson(2) he is too young to appreciate it, so I have put it away for him to enjoy in the years ahead. I recommend it for the art work and for all the information that is on each page.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My baby loves the book, October 10, 2007

By 

J. Louie (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Gone Wild (Caldecott Honor Book) (Hardcover)

My 16 months old really enjoyed the book. She likes the graphics - which is done in black and white. We adults enjoyed the actual reading portion. The information is very educational. I can see my baby reading this book with a different perspective when she is older.