James Balog's Animals A to Z [Board book]

James Balog (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1996 | Grade Level: P and up

In this ABC board book, graphically appealing silhouetted images of animals will capture children's attention and engage them for hours. Very young readers will be captivated by the clear, striking photographs. The sturdy format insures the durability of this book to remain a favorite.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The ever-expanding menagerie of animal ABC books now includes James Balog's Animals A to Z. With its durable board book format and eye-catching, silhouetted photographs, the book is just right for very young readers. )
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

James Balog's Animals A To Z ($7.95; June 1996; 26 pp.; 0-8118- 1339-8): In the striking, tack-sharp photographs of this animal ABC, creatures look out from the pages as if wishing to commune with readers. The format--lots of white space--gives the unusual selection of animals (well, yes, Z is for zebra, and X is for ox) a tangible presence: Didn't the mandrill's eyes just move? Might not that frog be sticky to the touch? Though a few of the critters look cut-and-pasted, this board-book bestiary is fairly breathtaking. (Picture book. 1-4) -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Board book: 26 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (June 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811813398
• ISBN-13: 978-0811813396
• Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #944,243 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the BEST first books for babies you'll ever "read", December 10, 1999

By 

Anita Vigilante (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: James Balog's Animals A to Z (Board book)

Several years ago, while pregnant with my first child, I began our board book library. This book was one of my first choices and for obvious reasons: the animals are clearly visible to young eyes, not hidden among scenery. And the selection of animals is not dull either- for example, there are a variety of primates to look at and talk about ("This monkey's name is Mandrill. Look at the pretty colors on him. Can you point to the blue part?"). The book is captivating to the youngest and grows as the mind does, too.

By not using the predictable lion for the letter "L", but a lemur, it has even enriched our visits to the zoo. The animals are no longer lumped into "every primate must be a monkey" category. It has prompted wonderful, albeit toddler-level, discussions regarding animals' diet, environment, etc. At the end of the book, Mr. Baalog implores the reader to be sensitive to this world in which we live, and through this book he provides the foundation for a lifetime of love for animals and the environment.

My three children, husband and I have spent countless hours reading and re-reading this book. Thank you, Mr. Baalog for your thoughtful, beautiful and entertaining work!