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Animalium: Welcome to the Museum Hardcover – Illustrated, September 9, 2014
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Welcome to the Museum is a series of books set on the “walls” of the printed page, showcasing the world’s finest collections of objects — from natural history to art. Open 365 days a year and unrestricted by the constraints of physical space, each title in this series is organized into galleries that display more than 200 full-color specimens accompanied by lively, informative text.
- Print length112 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Grade level3 - 7
- Lexile measureNC1260L
- Dimensions11 x 0.65 x 14.88 inches
- PublisherBig Picture Press
- Publication dateSeptember 9, 2014
- ISBN-100763675083
- ISBN-13978-0763675080
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From the Publisher

It's a museum masquerading as a book. Truly original.
—People Magazine
Welcome to the Museum - Discover more the exhibits in these virtual museums, open all hours
The animal kingdom in glorious detail
An amazing collection of historical artifacts
A brilliantly curated guide to plant life
Editorial Reviews
Review
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Part oversized album and part encyclopedia, this "museum" of the animal kingdom showcases its variety and diversity with numerous examples from around the world. What distinguishes this collection from similar overviews is its presentation. The illustrations look like nature prints from long ago, but unlike those old engravings and lithographs, these fine-lined drawings began with pen and ink and were colored digitally. ... Overall, this impressive survey will surprise and please its visitors
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Readers (children and adults alike) will savor and investigate this visual catalog over and over again. ... A museum in a book, with spectacular colored pen-and-ink drawings, presented in an elegant 11"x15" volume.
—Shelf Awareness (starred review)
A book that is both restful and, in its way, invigorating. ... With creamy, oversize pages and delicately colored, fine-line drawings of creatures from the natural world ... An elegant volume. ... Ms. Broom's prose is presented in simple modern typeface, which provides a stylish accompaniment to Ms. Scott's exquisite illustrated plates. .... One breathtaking image after another, page after page, makes "Animalium" an ideal portable museum for young naturalists and for the aesthetically demanding grown-ups in their lives.
—The Wall Street Journal
Large, stunningly beautiful and filled with pictures of surpassing elegance and detail.
—The Wall Street Journal
It's a museum masquerading as a book. Truly original.
—People Magazine
Consider this oversized encyclopedia a museum visit between two covers. ... Scott’s full-page pen and ink spreads have the timeless elegance of a John James Audubon print, and Broom’s prose moves nimbly between broad facts to curious details. Take, for example, the book’s account of frog metamorphosis.
—Science Friday (NPR blog)
My personal favorite of the bunch, 'Animalium' is a stunning celebration of biodiversity on Earth and the beautiful creatures that live here. ... The illustrations are works of art, and each gallery includes wonderful facts about the creatures within. This book is perfect for all ages — I may just want a copy for myself.
—The Washington Post
Fabulously illustrated and chock full of information, the perfect book for the budding biologist or zoologist. A true wonder.
—East Bay Express
A simply stunning volume.
—The Buffalo News
This book is a very illuminating reference for readers who are interested in an overview and those who want more detailed information
—Library Media Connection
Beautiful.
—Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Gorgeously illustrated.
—Courier-Journal
About the Author
Katie Scott studied illustration at Brighton University and has since worked with the BBC, the New York Times,Universal Records, and Phaidon Press. She lives and works in London.
Product details
- Publisher : Big Picture Press; Illustrated edition (September 9, 2014)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 112 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0763675083
- ISBN-13 : 978-0763675080
- Reading age : 3 - 9 years, from customers
- Lexile measure : NC1260L
- Grade level : 3 - 7
- Item Weight : 2.74 pounds
- Dimensions : 11 x 0.65 x 14.88 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #14,870 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #41 in Children's Zoology Books (Books)
- #161 in Children's Art Books (Books)
- #1,202 in Children's Animals Books
- Customer Reviews:
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The PERFECT book set for nature lovers!
Keelin Schafer
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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book has beautiful illustrations with a vintage feel. They appreciate the well-organized information and scientific content that is thorough yet easy for children to understand. Readers find the book fun and engaging for all ages, especially elementary students.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers appreciate the book's visual quality. They find the illustrations beautiful and fun to look at, with a vintage feel. The artwork has a softly colored appearance of hand-drawn pen and ink. The text is elegant and thoughtful, with enough information to be useful. Overall, customers praise the book as well-made with amazing illustrations and teaching text.
"...Softly colored pictures have the appearance of hand-drawn pen and ink illustrations that were common in naturalists’ journals during the eighteenth..." Read more
"...I just think it’s gorgeous and would be a great coffee table book too." Read more
"...This book is absolutely fantastic and their facial expressions were better than Christmas morning!..." Read more
"...The artwork has a vintage feel to it. I'd gladly hang any of it in my own home, which makes it nice that posters are also available for purchase!..." Read more
Customers find the book's information engaging and well-presented. They appreciate the simple yet thorough scientific content, as well as the beautiful illustrations. The book is described as a great educational resource with interesting facts and beautiful pictures.
"...The text of “Animalium” is informative, but brief. Each section of the Galleries begins with a short paragraph about the subject of that Gallery...." Read more
"...I just think it’s gorgeous and would be a great coffee table book too." Read more
"...firsthand the contents of a rich, beautifully illustrated, living book...." Read more
"...There's quite a bit of information throughout the book, plenty of interesting stories and facts that will entertain and inform indefinitely...." Read more
Customers appreciate the book for its engaging content and beautiful images suitable for all ages. They find it useful for parents with elementary-aged kids, providing concise information and encouraging curiosity. The book is described as gorgeous and perfect for budding naturalists.
"...teaching about animals and seems like it would be a succinct amount of information for children...." Read more
"...for my son for his birthday and I think it's just the neatest book for kids of all ages! I have 5 kids ranging from 2-12 and they all love it...." Read more
"...adults who want to learn about animals, but I think it's a great book for parents to use with elementary-aged kids...." Read more
"...intended this as a gift for a child, but I think it's more appropriate for adults...." Read more
Customers find the book engaging and enjoyable to read. They appreciate the great illustrations and informative content. Many describe it as a charming, quirky coffee table book for animal lovers.
"...It's a fun book, something I'm glad I got, and it is now among my many other nature books...." Read more
"This is a beautiful book for any animal lover and/or artist. We bought a copy for our son's teacher at the book fair...." Read more
"...The experience is charming, if a little dated. I originally intended this as a gift for a child, but I think it's more appropriate for adults...." Read more
"Beautiful illustrations. Fun to look at. I'd like the whole collection to add to our library!" Read more
Customers find the book a good gift idea for animal lovers of any age. They appreciate the wonderful illustrations.
"...Well made book with amazing illustrations and teaching text! Perfect as a gift!" Read more
"What a book! Great gift idea." Read more
"...old loves it and so does her grandad, so I'd say is appealing for anyone interested in animals." Read more
"Wonderful illustrations! Excellent gift for animal lovers at any age" Read more
Reviews with images

If only all books were this beautiful...
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2014“Animalium” is a natural history museum in book form. “Curated” by Katie Scoot and Jenny Broom, this exquisitely illustrated volume presents an overview of the diversity of earth’s life forms. Presented as classes and arranged in evolutionary order showing the development through the ages, each chapter focuses on several of the species making up that class.
Following the introduction or “Entrance”, a two-page illustration shows the Tree of Animal Life. This section provides an overview of the content of “Animalium” and leads into the more specific “Galleries” (chapters) of the text. Each set of two facing pages within the Gallery consists of a page containing a brief discussion and a key to the illustrations shown on the facing page, designated as a plate. The final set of facing pages in each Gallery holds a discussion of the habitat of the animals within the Gallery and an illustration incorporating those specific animals discussed on the preceding pages.
The illustrations alone make “Animalium” a volume that anyone who appreciates artwork will want to add to their personal library. Softly colored pictures have the appearance of hand-drawn pen and ink illustrations that were common in naturalists’ journals during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Printed on heavy, ivory or aged ivory-colored pages – the page color was not consistent throughout the book - the entire volume seems to be a vintage book that one might discover in an attic or antique emporium. The inconsistency of page color may have been deliberate. Nevertheless, this does not detract from the overall appeal of the book.
The text of “Animalium” is informative, but brief. Each section of the Galleries begins with a short paragraph about the subject of that Gallery. The Latin name follows the more common name of each creature illustrated on the facing page. Information about the animal’s size, and with a few exceptions, a brief paragraph about each creature follows the introductory paragraph.
“Animalium” and the information it contains are based on the theory of Evolution; no other theories – Creationism or Evolutionary Creationism – are discussed in the text. Conservative individuals may find this aspect of the book conflicts with their own core beliefs.
“Animalium” is a beautiful volume that is suitable for display as a coffee table book – it measures approximately 14 7/8” X 10 7/8” – or as a book for anyone, regardless of age, who is fascinated by the animal kingdom. Five stars!
- Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2023I’ll be honest, I mainly got this book for the artwork. I thought it would be a fun book to use to practice my drawing and painting with. It absolutely is. I think it is also a neat way to lay out a book for teaching about animals and seems like it would be a succinct amount of information for children. I just think it’s gorgeous and would be a great coffee table book too.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2024Love these books....plan on getting the entire set.I am enjoying them as much as my granddaughter.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2023I'm considering homeschooling my 11 year old stepson. He's really into science and I'm an eclectic Charlotte Mason Education homeschool mom.
I wanted my stepson and my husband to experience firsthand the contents of a rich, beautifully illustrated, living book. This book is absolutely fantastic and their facial expressions were better than Christmas morning!
As a 23 year homeschool mom, I highly recommend this book and series!
- Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2024Home schooling
- Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2016This is absolutely the most gorgeous book. I was led to buy Animalium through a Montessori blog for my toddler. At two years old, the book stands at half his length. He seems to do fine with looking through it while seated on the ground, or standing over it while placed on his bed. I don't think that this would be the best book for a toddler that hasn't yet learned how to be gentle with his books, except of course if someone is helping him with it. My son loves getting his toy animals and finding them in the pages of Animalium. I realize that most people wouldn't buy this sort of book for a toddler, but Montessori recommends providing the most beautiful books at as early of an age as you can. My husband is an artist, and his jaw dropped when he saw this book! I may have to buy a second one for him. He was instantly curious as to whether the artist had any other books available. Animalium is an amazing book for any artist looking to reference animals and sea life, or just beautiful color palettes. The artwork has a vintage feel to it. I'd gladly hang any of it in my own home, which makes it nice that posters are also available for purchase! I think this book would be loved by all ages! I don't see how anyone could ever regret purchasing it. Please let me know if this review was helpful to you!
5.0 out of 5 stars If only all books were this beautiful...This is absolutely the most gorgeous book. I was led to buy Animalium through a Montessori blog for my toddler. At two years old, the book stands at half his length. He seems to do fine with looking through it while seated on the ground, or standing over it while placed on his bed. I don't think that this would be the best book for a toddler that hasn't yet learned how to be gentle with his books, except of course if someone is helping him with it. My son loves getting his toy animals and finding them in the pages of Animalium. I realize that most people wouldn't buy this sort of book for a toddler, but Montessori recommends providing the most beautiful books at as early of an age as you can. My husband is an artist, and his jaw dropped when he saw this book! I may have to buy a second one for him. He was instantly curious as to whether the artist had any other books available. Animalium is an amazing book for any artist looking to reference animals and sea life, or just beautiful color palettes. The artwork has a vintage feel to it. I'd gladly hang any of it in my own home, which makes it nice that posters are also available for purchase! I think this book would be loved by all ages! I don't see how anyone could ever regret purchasing it. Please let me know if this review was helpful to you!
Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2016
Images in this review - Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2023I received this book today from Amazon along with a couple others from this series I also purchased. It is HUGE!
I don't normally check the physical size of books when I order them. Some books I expect to be larger than others, but this is massive, and pleasantly so.
The illustrations are stylistically consistent and spaced nicely throughout the book. I wish the contrast were a little more pronounced, but that probably has something to do with the printing process.
There's quite a bit of information throughout the book, plenty of interesting stories and facts that will entertain and inform indefinitely. It's a fun book, something I'm glad I got, and it is now among my many other nature books.
I rate this 4.5 stars because some of the pages could visually benefit from the higher contrast I mentioned earlier. Otherwise, this is a stunning and sizable book that many readers young and older would find fascinating.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2024I liked this large picture book and the writing. It was done very well. It’s your ticket to a museum.
Top reviews from other countries
- HilaryReviewed in Canada on September 18, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Beauty & Knowledge
These books are amazing. Full of accurate, detailed information. The pictures are incredible. Adding others to the Xmas list.
-
JasmineReviewed in Brazil on June 1, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Livro extraordinário
Vale cada centavo porque meu, que ilustrações sensacionais
-
M. EspinozaReviewed in Mexico on October 17, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars Hermoso!!!
Un hermoso libro! Lo compré para la habitación de mi bebé!!
- Sophia KaratsinidisReviewed in Australia on March 17, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful illustrations and lovely to give as a gift to ...
Bought this with the activity book and postcards as a gift. Beautiful illustrations and lovely to give as a gift to any animal lover.
- Sagar KolteReviewed in India on January 7, 2016
5.0 out of 5 stars A book that marries Art and Science.
First, I wholeheartedly recommend the book to everyone. It is big, beautiful and a thing of surpassing elegance. If you are reading this review to decide whether or not to buy it, there, I told you. Go no further.
The rest of the review is dedicated to discussing the contents and finer features of the book.
The book is a visual introduction to the Animal Kingdom. The format of the book gives us the impression of having visited the Natural History Section of a well curated Museum. The prominent feature of this work are the full page 'plates' that exhibit truly beautiful illustrations of animals printed on heavy ivory coloured paper. The style of illustrations is reminiscent of the biology lab journals of a gifted artist: Attractive, accurate and informative. Each specimen on the plate is numbered and the facing page furnishes us with its common and the Latin name. This is then followed by a short description often mentioning some interesting and odd facts about the creature in question. For instance the life of a Mayfly is a mere sixty minutes, or that the Song Thrush uses stones to break open shells of snails in order to consume them.
The book is divided into sections each dedicated to a progressively more evolved family of the animal kingdom. Aside from the plates discussed above, each section includes a discussion of a representative member of the family. These pages feature a large horizontally oriented drawing of the animal being discussed. Often cross-sections of the specimen are drawn and at times a dissected animal is presented. Towards the end of each section is a plate dedicated to illustrating the animals in that section in their natural habitat. The text throughout the book is succinct.
The book features an index and a 'further reading' section. Finally a word on the illustrations. The images in this book shine with unfashionable virtues and understated beauty. What makes this book an object of art is the quite and unassuming style of illustration that betrays the illustrator's immense talent. One is reminded of the work of Ernst Haeckel when leafing through this book.
I bought this book for my two year old son, the book always managed to grab his attention even in very distracting situations. He has seen many picture books on animals by now, but I can tell that this one isn't just another one of those for him.
Sagar Kolte
Reviewed in India on January 7, 2016
The rest of the review is dedicated to discussing the contents and finer features of the book.
The book is a visual introduction to the Animal Kingdom. The format of the book gives us the impression of having visited the Natural History Section of a well curated Museum. The prominent feature of this work are the full page 'plates' that exhibit truly beautiful illustrations of animals printed on heavy ivory coloured paper. The style of illustrations is reminiscent of the biology lab journals of a gifted artist: Attractive, accurate and informative. Each specimen on the plate is numbered and the facing page furnishes us with its common and the Latin name. This is then followed by a short description often mentioning some interesting and odd facts about the creature in question. For instance the life of a Mayfly is a mere sixty minutes, or that the Song Thrush uses stones to break open shells of snails in order to consume them.
The book is divided into sections each dedicated to a progressively more evolved family of the animal kingdom. Aside from the plates discussed above, each section includes a discussion of a representative member of the family. These pages feature a large horizontally oriented drawing of the animal being discussed. Often cross-sections of the specimen are drawn and at times a dissected animal is presented. Towards the end of each section is a plate dedicated to illustrating the animals in that section in their natural habitat. The text throughout the book is succinct.
The book features an index and a 'further reading' section. Finally a word on the illustrations. The images in this book shine with unfashionable virtues and understated beauty. What makes this book an object of art is the quite and unassuming style of illustration that betrays the illustrator's immense talent. One is reminded of the work of Ernst Haeckel when leafing through this book.
I bought this book for my two year old son, the book always managed to grab his attention even in very distracting situations. He has seen many picture books on animals by now, but I can tell that this one isn't just another one of those for him.
Images in this review