Taronga Big Book of Animals

Illustrations by Amandine Thomas, Simone Fumagalli, Raquel Martin and Blithe Fielden

Over 200 fascinating facts for curious kids

Reviewed by Mia Macrossan

In the note to the reader the Taronga Conservation Society Australia states the facts in this book are based on the ‘scientific worlds’s current understanding’ of the animals in the book, and encourages us to ’embrace the ever-changing nature of science and the promise of more to learn and discover’. This book is a magnificent introduction for children starting to learn and discover the animals that share our world.

It is big, bold and gorgeous on every page. Each one focuses on one, two or three animals with a paragraph of information, the advertised ‘ curious, funny strange and amazing zoological fact’ in large clear print. The layout is spacious, there is no crowding of text and illustrations. The reader can browse, focusing when a detail catches the attention – and there are so many fascinating snippets of information cleverly displayed to make you delve deeper. Here are some:

Hyenas are more closely related to cats than dogs.

Echidna poo is glittery.

Pandas can do handstands.

A flamingo can only eat when its head is upside down.

Elephants are the only mammals that can’t jump.

The information is presented arranged in eight sections; rainforests, rivers and lakes, deserts, grasslands, oceans and coastlines, mountains, forests and scrubland and polar regions. Each section has an introduction and a map. Scattered throughout where relevant are Taronga’s Actions for the Wild panels which highlight important conservation issues for a particular animal, e.g. the Pangolin, the Sumatran Tiger, the Greater Bilby and more.

There is an index and glossary at the back and some information about the Taronga conservation society. It is a joyful exploration throughthe animal kingdom aided by the splendid illustrations, but in a world where so many animals and habitats are endangered this book may encourage young readers to become mindful of the need to look after all the creatures with whom we share the planet.

A  must have for the school library and a perfect gift for any child who loves animals.

Penguin 2024

Taronga Conservation Society Australia