Safari [Hardcover]

Robert Bateman (Author)

Book Description

Grade Level: 3 and up

The world's preeminent wildlife artist, Robert Bateman invites young readers to join him on a trip to Africa to observe different animals and to learn something about their behavior. Bateman captures not only the fine details of the animals' appearances but the essence of their nature as well.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-5-The book invites readers on an African safari to observe a variety of animals in their natural habitats. Each two-to-four-page section focuses on one or two animals including the elephant, leopard, wildebeest, and zebra. Bateman shares his experiences with and impressions of each creature in the wild. Additional information such as habitat, size, range, and food is provided in inset boxes. However, the real focus here and the most outstanding feature is the artwork. At least one full page per spread is devoted to Bateman's spectacular oil paintings that are photographic in detail and perfectly capture the essence and beauty of their subjects. These illustrations combined with the text create a sort of travel diary that clearly conveys the artist's love of wildlife. An endnote emphasizes the importance of conservation. Those seeking information for reports will need to look elsewhere, but for all others this is an eye-catching, entrancing journey.
Arwen Marshall, New York Public Library
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown; 1st edition (October 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316082651
• ISBN-13: 978-0316082655
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 10.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #458,506 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #92 in Books > Children's Books > Arts, Crafts & Music > Art > Painting

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is excellent for children of all ages., March 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Safari (Hardcover)

The initial attraction of this book is the wonderful artwork, but further investigation reveals a thoughtful and fresh look at nature. Robert Bateman tells you enough about himself and his lifes work to make you curious about him. Most importantly, he provides the reader with a close up and personal view of animals we rarely experience. He provides a quick run down of the facts of each animal and where it lives in a small information box. The text provides some very unique information on the animal. I found his information on how a giraffe runs to be facinating. A great read for children (and adults) of any age who appreciate nature and beauitful art.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The wonders of nature rendered through art, September 17, 2008

By 

Judy K. Polhemus "Book Collector" (Louisiana) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Safari (Hardcover)

The photorealistic artwork of Robert Bateman is incredible and mesmerizing. In fact, as I flipped through the book the first time, I thought the artwork was a mix of photographs and paintings.

This is what the catalog description says on the verso page (back of title page): "Paintings and brief text present some of the animals found in Africa...." Further down: "The works in this book...have been published as limited edition prints by...." Then I really looked, but some are so realistic as to defy belief.

I'm looking at the painting on the Dedication page. The fur on the backs of three lionesses looks so real. The yellowed grass on the savanna looks real. Bateman's dedication reads: "For young people everywhere: may you love nature--and protect it."

This particular book celebrates the beauty and dignity of the animals of Africa, which Bateman believes will one day disappear. But he is hopeful of their salvation because safaris today are planned as photographic ones rather than big game hunting.

On this safari Bateman took his family with him. One of the great joys of their trip was going into the rain forest and getting close to the great gorillas. In another photograph of Bateman he is sitting close to an orphan cheetah and sketching it. A painting of that cheetah appears in the book.

The book is devoted to a full-page painting of each featured animal, plus a smaller one, a half-page of information, then a block of basic facts (habitat, height, weight, food, and range). Animals included are elephant, leopard, giraffes, wildebeest, lion, cape buffalo (the most dangerous of all African animals), zebras and kudu, cheetah, dik-dik and impala, rhinoceros, and gorilla.

On the last page Bateman sits thoughtfully before an elephant painting and makes a plea for people to save wildlife and wild places.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Children love this book, May 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Safari (Hardcover)

This is a great book for children who like animals. The book inspires children to draw. My six year old son and I have enjoyed this book and have spent many hours reading it over and over. The drawings are incredible. Your "animal loving" child will love it, too.