Amazing Animal Journeys (Jennifer Cossins, Lothian)

Tasmanian artist Jennifer Cossins hit world picture-book fame with 101 Collective Nouns, and has since collected a swag of CBCA and other accolades. Her newest title, the nonfiction Amazing Animal Journeys, which targets a middle-grade readership, is more text-heavy than her early books. There are occasional mentions of climate change, and a note on conservation that might prompt discussions, but the primary narrative is of the animals themselves, with Cossins’ distinctive digital illustrative imagery filling the pages. Bright, bold colours and clean shapes—sometimes pleasingly reminiscent of stained-glass windows— capture her enduring passion for the natural world. In an age where all conceivable information is instantly accessible, the job of a book like this is to curate and winnow, and Amazing Animal Journeys does just that. It might have benefited, though, from a little more winnowing. Details about each animal—some of whom will be familiar but others likely not (have you ever heard of the globe skimmer dragonfly?)—become a little overwhelming, as the facts for each animal can blur together, making it tricky to synthesise information; and with no clear organising principle, this book leans more towards interest rather than research. However, one of Cossins’ ongoing aims is to inspire curiosity in children, and Amazing Animal Journeys succeeds in delighting with the discovery of new and remarkable animals at each page turn.

Anica Boulanger-Mashberg is a freelance editor, writer, and reviewer, and has worked as a bookseller at The Hobart Bookshop for over 10 years.

Category: Daily newsletter Review Junior Reviews