I Love Animals

Flora McDonnell, Author, Flora McDonnell, Illustrator Candlewick Press (MA) $14.95 (32p) ISBN 978-1-56402-387-2

Who wouldn't get a kick out of the frolicsome cast of strutting turkeys, hopping hens, et al. in this debut picture book? Each creature-or grouping, in such cases as ``the pig with all her little piglets''-receives an entire spread, captioned with a straightforward declaration from the girl on the book's cover: ``I love (goat, donkey, etc.).'' The acrylic and gouache illustrations' large scale and stark white backgrounds add to the overall exuberance. And though McDonnell's somewhat primitive, folk-art technique occasionally skews the creatures' faces, their wry expressions are full of punch (for example, the goat ``racing across the field'' has an unmistakable glint in its eye, the donkey ``braying hee-haw!'' holds its head at a proud angle). This simple and effective introduction to farm denizens also provides an important first lesson about kindness and affection for all animals. Ages 2-up. (Aug.)

Reviewed on: 08/01/1994
Release date: 08/01/1994

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FORMATS

Paperback - 32 pages - 978-1-56402-672-9

Paperback - 32 pages - 978-1-56402-662-0

Hardcover - 28 pages - 978-968-16-4933-3

Board Books - 24 pages - 978-0-7636-1546-8

Prebound-Other - 978-0-7857-7986-5

Prebound-Other - 978-0-613-78922-6