An embarrassment of pandas, a galaxy of starfish, a shiver of sharks...these are all collective nouns used to describe their groups. Woop Studios, acclaimed for their work on the Harry Potter movies, has illustrated these quirky phrases, creating a series of extraordinarily beautiful art that has been collected here for the first time. The colorful introduction to animals and the alphabet is accessible for young children, while the gorgeous, whimsical art and clever wordplay make it perfect for design-savvy parents and inspired gift givers. Longer than the standard picture book, with high design and production values, this is a volume readers will want on their coffee tables in addition to their child's bookshelf.
A Zeal of Zebras
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"From the mesmerizing cover to the dazzling endpapers, this is a fabulously fascinating work of wondrous words." - Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"A beautiful and innovative look at different animal species." - Madigan Reads Blog
"A beautiful and innovative look at different animal species." - Madigan Reads Blog
About the Author
Woop Studios Limited (Woop) is a start-up founded in June 2010 by Miraphora Mina, Eduardo Lima, Harriet Logan, and Mark Faulkner. Mira and Eduardo have spent the last decade working as graphic designers on the Harry Potter franchise. They designed the Marauder's Map, The Daily Propet and the invitation to the Yule ball. Visit minalima.com to see what they're doing now.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I think I can confidently proclaim A Zeal of Zebras to be the best alphabet book in all the land, and probably one of the most superior alphabet books of all time. Each page is a fresh and original surprise as readers are treated to a collection of animals referred to by a collective pronoun, paired with some interesting information about each animal, and a gorgeous digitally created collage. While some of these group names were not unfamiliar to me: a caravan of camels, a galaxy of starfish, and of course, an unkindness of ravens, I wondered if the others were simply made up such as: an aurora of polar bears, an embarrassment of pandas, an implausibility of gnus. A little research confirms that most of the whimsical pronouns are indeed, well-established, if rarely used.
Woop Studios background as a graphic design firm is apparent in the crisply designed, textured collage images. Any of the pages would be frameable as art. Many have the look of old movie posters and blurred or scratchy edges indicative of handmade prints. I loved the nest of crocodiles, all meeting nose to nose, except for one, who has his tail to the rest of the group.
My personal litmus test for any alphabet book is the treatment of the often difficult letter "X". A Zeal of Zebras offers a not-too-shabby "exaltation of larks" for X - I can't give it full-marks for the most ingenious "X" I've ever seen, but I must say, I've definitely seen far worse. Pair this book with Ubiquitous: Celebrating Nature's Survivors by Joyce Sidman for a beautiful and innovative look at different animal species.
Woop Studios background as a graphic design firm is apparent in the crisply designed, textured collage images. Any of the pages would be frameable as art. Many have the look of old movie posters and blurred or scratchy edges indicative of handmade prints. I loved the nest of crocodiles, all meeting nose to nose, except for one, who has his tail to the rest of the group.
My personal litmus test for any alphabet book is the treatment of the often difficult letter "X". A Zeal of Zebras offers a not-too-shabby "exaltation of larks" for X - I can't give it full-marks for the most ingenious "X" I've ever seen, but I must say, I've definitely seen far worse. Pair this book with Ubiquitous: Celebrating Nature's Survivors by Joyce Sidman for a beautiful and innovative look at different animal species.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
The graphics are bright and busy in a way that I (a non-parent) think appeals to children, but without being tiresomely childish (right- not a parent). Anyway, as someone who kind of likes the idea of children and other people's children, but finds all that rainbow plastic crap intolerable, this was a brilliant find for me. I give it to all my friends' kids.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Chrissy N
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I'm so glad I purchased this book, it is beautiful from cover to cover. I would buy it for the illustrations alone, which would make stunning wall art, but the content is great too! A great addition to your personal library or a super-chic baby shower gift...!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fun and inspiring book
As a wildlife photographer I am always looking for ideas to enhance my articles. I got this book to help me when describing groups of animals. Read more
Published 9 days ago by M. Winchester
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautifully illustrated
As a gift for my grandsons it was the perfect blend of art and learning. They were totally charmed by it.
Published 4 months ago by Georgia Morehouse
5.0 out of 5 stars
GORGEOUS book!
I really love the illustrations in this book and the innovate approach to demonstrating the alphabet. I can't wait for more from Woop Studios! Read more
Published 17 months ago by Rachel Moore
