Wild animals of the South by Dieter Braun
Flying Eye Books, 2017. ISBN 9781909263970
(Age: All) Highly recommended. How beautiful is this book! Wild
Animals of the South looks at many of the animals that live in
the southern hemisphere. Africa, South America, Asia, Australia and
Antarctica each receives a chapter that highlights many of their
indigenous creatures. A map of the world clearly shows the areas
covered in the book and a simple drawing indicates where each animal
lives.
Dieter Braun has created stunning stylised pictures using muted
colours on naturally coloured paper. Each animal is given both the
common and scientific name. The focus of the book is on the
illustrations, as only a few animals receive a paragraph of
information. Even the index is one of the most beautiful I have seen
with an illustration for each entry.
Dieter is a freelance illustrator and children's book author from
Germany. He strongly believes in the importance of the role of the
human race in ensuring that the wonderful creatures illustrated in
this book do not become extinct.
'Humankind could exist without tigers, tapirs or ocelots, but it
would be wrong to assume that we are the most important creature on
Earth. We are intruders in the animal kingdom and with every animal
that dies out, our life on this planet loses a part of its power and
colour and beauty.'
Dieter has shown how remarkable our world is and the animals are so
stunningly created that the reader is in awe of their 'power, colour
and beauty'. I would readily buy another copy of this book to turn
into framed prints. It is an art exhibition in a book.
Dieter has also created the companion book Wild Animals of the
North.
I would highly recommend this book for purchase. For whom? Everyone!
Jane Moore