Description

A stunning debut picture book that encourages kids to look beyond first impressions by sharing unexpected details about seemingly scary wild animals like gorillas, rhinoceroses, and more. 

Spiders are creepy. Porcupines are scary. Bats are ugly. Or are they...?

This captivating book invites you to learn more about awe-inspiring animals in the wild. After all, it’s best not to judge a beast until you understand its full, lovely life.

Includes backmatter with additional reading suggestions.

About the Author

Kate Gardner is the picture book author of Lovely Beasts, Snow Falls, and How to Find a Fox. During her nighttime walks with her dogs, she admires the brightly lit windows in her neighborhood and imagines the cozy spaces inside. That got her wondering about other types of places to live. . . . While Kate lives in a house outside of Boston, she thinks that a nest is probably best.

Heidi Smith is a freelance character designer and visual development artist who graduated from the character animation program at the California Institute of the Arts. She was the character designer and conceptual designer for ParaNorman, and she won an Annie Award for her designs in 2013. She has also worked as a character designer for Henry Selick at Cinderbiter, the Jim Henson Company, and Warner Brothers. Heidi lives in Arizona.

Praise For…

★ “With its elegant layout, gorgeous illustrations, and thoughtful text, this book presents an interesting and focused subject in an exemplary manner.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“A beautifully drawn, cleverly conceptualized resource that will do much for the reputations of some of our more maligned animals.” — Booklist

“Gently urges readers to see beyond first assumptions and to celebrate the wonder of biodiversity.” — Publishers Weekly