Reviewed by annieb123 on
Stick Animal Safari by Billy Attinger and Rachel Kochakis, published by Quarto - Race Point, is exactly what is on the cover. It's a pun filled tutorial safari full of completely do-able cartoon-y stick animals. There are 10 chapters full of tutorials grouped roughly into types; furry, scaly, helpful, birds, slimy critters, dangerous animals, extinct and fantasy things (plus others).
Each chapter includes a nonsense Linnaen nomenclature (Harius Furribelium, Purtius Burrdicus etc *groan*) and introductory sidebar followed by 6 tutorials with a practice page for each animal. The fake Latin made me roll my eyes (and also that the 'species' names were capitalized), but being the stone-cold bionerd I am, I'm probably the only person who is even remotely affected by 'comedy' Latin, and I should just lighten up.
I was won over even BEFORE I saw the pangolin tutorial. PANGOLINS, people!
Yeah, I thought so.
The book is aimed at younger readers, but seriously fun and usable by anyone. I've been drawing pangolins all week in my meeting notes (I'm a professional bionerd - and yes, paying close attention in meetings!). There are many of the puns which are firmly aimed at adults. The book would be a really cool together-time project with family/kids.
144 pages, softbound, but roughly half the page content is the backgrounds for drawing practice.
Definitely a fun book.
Four stars
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher.
Reading updates
- Started reading
- Finished reading
- 7 December, 2017: Reviewed