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Imagine: An Intricately Detailed Picture Book About Animals from Around the World for Children
A vivid introduction to animals from all parts of the world, portraying them in their specialized environments with intricately detailed pictures.
40 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1990
5 people are currently reading
233 people want to read
About the author
Alison Lester
124 books118 followersHas a son Lachie Hume, who is also a published children's book author.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
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October 9, 2024Originally published in Australia in 1989. Very cute story book with beautiful illustrations!
September 29, 2013
This isn't so much a story as a series of imaginative scenarios: children playing, creating worlds in their collective imaginations, turning bunk beds into tents and fishbowls into the ocean. The corresponding text consists of a beautifully-worded, poetic ode to the scene they've created through play-acting, and then you turn the page and get a double-page spread of what they're seeing in their own heads. An elaborate panorama of an Amazonian jungle or African plains or Australian wilderness or a farm or deep in the ocean or among the dinosaurs. A mix of fact and fiction, with the children turned into mermaids, or swinging through the trees, while surrounded by real-life animals and other creatures that belong to that particular landscape.
Around these panoramic illustrations are strings of nouns, all the names of the creatures that can be found in the pictures. It's a kind of treasure hunt, like Graeme Base's Animalia or even a bit Where's Wally?-ish. The vocabulary will push both kids and adults - there were plenty of nouns I didn't recognise, and animals etc. that I couldn't name. Helpfully, though, there's a kind of cheat sheet at the back of the book so that you can learn them. But there are easy, recognisable animals too, and even two-year-olds have fun spotting (and counting) the animals, or describing what everything is doing, or asking "What's that? What's that?"!
I had meant to scan a couple of pages (and quote some text) to show you what this wonderful book looks like inside, but unfortunately I didn't get a chance - or I plum forgot - before all my books were packed up by the movers, and it'll be months before I have access to them again. So I guess we'll just have to use our imaginations! (Though you can see a few interior illustrations on Lester's website.)
This one is fun for adult readers, too, especially for anyone who remembers doing this kind of creative play: making tunnels out of couch cushions, or camps out of broken branches, forts out of straw bales and so on. Who hasn't made a mud pie or two? It triggers our sense of nostalgia, while encouraging children to enjoy and develop their imaginations, all while teaching everyone some great new vocabulary.
Around these panoramic illustrations are strings of nouns, all the names of the creatures that can be found in the pictures. It's a kind of treasure hunt, like Graeme Base's Animalia or even a bit Where's Wally?-ish. The vocabulary will push both kids and adults - there were plenty of nouns I didn't recognise, and animals etc. that I couldn't name. Helpfully, though, there's a kind of cheat sheet at the back of the book so that you can learn them. But there are easy, recognisable animals too, and even two-year-olds have fun spotting (and counting) the animals, or describing what everything is doing, or asking "What's that? What's that?"!
I had meant to scan a couple of pages (and quote some text) to show you what this wonderful book looks like inside, but unfortunately I didn't get a chance - or I plum forgot - before all my books were packed up by the movers, and it'll be months before I have access to them again. So I guess we'll just have to use our imaginations! (Though you can see a few interior illustrations on Lester's website.)
This one is fun for adult readers, too, especially for anyone who remembers doing this kind of creative play: making tunnels out of couch cushions, or camps out of broken branches, forts out of straw bales and so on. Who hasn't made a mud pie or two? It triggers our sense of nostalgia, while encouraging children to enjoy and develop their imaginations, all while teaching everyone some great new vocabulary.
November 24, 2022
The pictures were pretty, I love all the animals and the colours. At the back of the book, there is a fantastic guide for children to match the names of the animals to the animal in the picture, which I found very interesting. There are lots of teaching opportunities within this book, it can be used well to support children's learning within English, at any age group depending on the aims of the lesson. For older children, you could get them to write a story based on the pictures and can make it very descriptive.
May 8, 2017
One to pore over - adult and child, or children together. As well as utilising the concept of chilhood imagination, it is one of the well-loved genre of searching for animals.
The linking pieces are beautifully written - poetic. These are followed by double-page spreads of a variety of environments where the reader is invited to search for the creatures. At the end black and white illustrations provide a key to each picture.
Recommended highly.
The linking pieces are beautifully written - poetic. These are followed by double-page spreads of a variety of environments where the reader is invited to search for the creatures. At the end black and white illustrations provide a key to each picture.
Recommended highly.
May 4, 2018
Like a poster with a million things going on, each page has a lot of details to keep young eyes fixed.
There is one page that is full of dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals. On that page there are a couple of T-rexs attacking and eating other animals, so I try to skip of that page and the one leading to it. I may be being overprotective, but my girls are 3.5 years old, so maybe this book should for kids older than that.
There is one page that is full of dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals. On that page there are a couple of T-rexs attacking and eating other animals, so I try to skip of that page and the one leading to it. I may be being overprotective, but my girls are 3.5 years old, so maybe this book should for kids older than that.
April 23, 2018
"Imagine" by Alison Lester
The first book my daughter got introduced to when she was approx. one years of age was "Kissed By The Moon" by Alison Lester and she loved it. She has loved books ever since. I try regularly to introduce her to new books so this time I've purchased another book from Alison Lester, "Imagine" and we both like it very much.
This book was not my first choice as initially I thought there is too much going on in there. I was reluctant to buy it as I thought it might not hold her attention for long as she is only four (almost four) and still gets distracted easily. I am glad I purchased it. Some books definitely take time and exploring and there is sooo much to discover here. You can spend hours just on one page so if you are looking for a book that will be a quick read this is not a book for you. I have noticed some reviews with one/two stars and I have to disagree. In my opinion there is a time and place for every book and this one definitely asks for more than just a quick read and superficial glance.
My point is, if you want to spend some quality time with your child who on top of it loves animals, loves exploring and loves being read to (even reading on their own perhaps), this is the book for you!
5 stars without hesitation!
The first book my daughter got introduced to when she was approx. one years of age was "Kissed By The Moon" by Alison Lester and she loved it. She has loved books ever since. I try regularly to introduce her to new books so this time I've purchased another book from Alison Lester, "Imagine" and we both like it very much.
This book was not my first choice as initially I thought there is too much going on in there. I was reluctant to buy it as I thought it might not hold her attention for long as she is only four (almost four) and still gets distracted easily. I am glad I purchased it. Some books definitely take time and exploring and there is sooo much to discover here. You can spend hours just on one page so if you are looking for a book that will be a quick read this is not a book for you. I have noticed some reviews with one/two stars and I have to disagree. In my opinion there is a time and place for every book and this one definitely asks for more than just a quick read and superficial glance.
My point is, if you want to spend some quality time with your child who on top of it loves animals, loves exploring and loves being read to (even reading on their own perhaps), this is the book for you!
5 stars without hesitation!
March 13, 2025
I came across this while looking through my old books, and I read it again after many years. It brought me back to how happy I was looking at all the illustrations of animals and spotting new details every time!!!
August 16, 2017
A delightful book that encourages learning and discovery.
February 20, 2018
Great book for discussion of where is? What’s this? The location of the animals etc
October 9, 2019
This book is awesome and I love it so so much it’s better than a book about elephant ‘s poop 😂😂😂😂😂
February 7, 2020
A book about imagination. Lovely illustrations, lots of animals to find and learn about. I loved that the end pages gives you all the answers too.
September 4, 2020
Great pictures. But thats where it ends for me. I had a hard time pronouncing some of the words. Imagine how a small child would go?
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June 22, 2022BookTree
Sabine and Emerick liked
Sabine and Emerick liked
February 17, 2025
Needed a bit of a cheer-up after a rough night so this was an enjoyable distraction with beautiful illustrations and complementary enchanting words to guide you through them
June 21, 2025
This one failed to engage kiddo and he was annoyed by the amount of text on the "find a creature" type pages (but he's learning to read, so that might be why...). But it was nicely presented.
November 26, 2025
4.5 - with the pearlescent cover and animal index at the back, this is a beautiful and engaging rendering of the animal kingdom through the eyes of child wonder
December 30, 2020
Every child should have this awesome book!
January 5, 2017
Imagine by Alison Lester is one of our favourite stories, and it allows so much variation in the way it can be read that it lends itself to being picked up at any excuse.
The story follows two children (boy & girl) as they play different adventuring scenarios, with a call for the reader to join in on their imaginary play.
Each scenario is two double pages, the first sets the scene…
With simple text, where you can really feel yourself falling into your imagination…
Imagine
if we were
away on safari
where crocodiles lurk
and antelope feed
where leopards attack
and zebras stampede
image if we were away on safari
While on the opposite page the children are acting out their imaginative story…safari play
THEN… you turn the page to this amazing double spread of exciting adventure. The illustrations are beautiful, and detailed. Around the edge, forming a border, are names of all the things you can find in the picture.
This lends itself to being a quick bedtime read, where you read the story, turn the page, point out one creature and turn the page…or you can take your time and really explore each world, discussing your young readers imagination, and what things they would like to see.
At the back of the book is a great series of “key” pictures, that list all the creatures, and their positions on the page, which has been invaluable for the dinosaur page. We might be a little obsessed with the dinosaur page.
key image
Which brings me to my warning, and raises a strange issue…the realism in the dinosaur adventure. I do admit, *I* am not used to seeing dinosaurs trying to eat each other. Yet, Miss 2.5 seems quite accepting of this, with no concern. She plays games where she tries to gobble you up (as learnt in Little Red Riding Hood), and now where she eats you up, because she’s a scary dinosaur. However, I would recommend approaching this openly, and it may depend on your child’s exposure to violence or pain (mine is pretty innocent of such things).
dinosaurs
Yet, we go from dinosaurs eating/kissing each other, to Australia…the land that has the MOST things that will try and kill you, but according to this, is a pretty cool petting zoo. Not a single snake or spider to be seen (although there is a Tasmanian Devil). This amuses me endlessly.
The wonderful places you get to visit are:
A Jungle
An Ocean (and I struggle to say anemones every, single, time)
The Arctic icecap
The country
A Prehistoric land
An African Safari
Australia
Home
I can’t recommend this book highly enough, it’s such a wonderful story, and creates so many fantastic talking points. You can spend so long discussing different aspects, from counting chickens, to spot the spider, every time we read Imagine we find something new to talk about.
Something for everyone.
Full review (with pictures): http://www.littlebooksgrowingminds.co...
The story follows two children (boy & girl) as they play different adventuring scenarios, with a call for the reader to join in on their imaginary play.
Each scenario is two double pages, the first sets the scene…
With simple text, where you can really feel yourself falling into your imagination…
Imagine
if we were
away on safari
where crocodiles lurk
and antelope feed
where leopards attack
and zebras stampede
image if we were away on safari
While on the opposite page the children are acting out their imaginative story…safari play
THEN… you turn the page to this amazing double spread of exciting adventure. The illustrations are beautiful, and detailed. Around the edge, forming a border, are names of all the things you can find in the picture.
This lends itself to being a quick bedtime read, where you read the story, turn the page, point out one creature and turn the page…or you can take your time and really explore each world, discussing your young readers imagination, and what things they would like to see.
At the back of the book is a great series of “key” pictures, that list all the creatures, and their positions on the page, which has been invaluable for the dinosaur page. We might be a little obsessed with the dinosaur page.
key image
Which brings me to my warning, and raises a strange issue…the realism in the dinosaur adventure. I do admit, *I* am not used to seeing dinosaurs trying to eat each other. Yet, Miss 2.5 seems quite accepting of this, with no concern. She plays games where she tries to gobble you up (as learnt in Little Red Riding Hood), and now where she eats you up, because she’s a scary dinosaur. However, I would recommend approaching this openly, and it may depend on your child’s exposure to violence or pain (mine is pretty innocent of such things).
dinosaurs
Yet, we go from dinosaurs eating/kissing each other, to Australia…the land that has the MOST things that will try and kill you, but according to this, is a pretty cool petting zoo. Not a single snake or spider to be seen (although there is a Tasmanian Devil). This amuses me endlessly.
The wonderful places you get to visit are:
A Jungle
An Ocean (and I struggle to say anemones every, single, time)
The Arctic icecap
The country
A Prehistoric land
An African Safari
Australia
Home
I can’t recommend this book highly enough, it’s such a wonderful story, and creates so many fantastic talking points. You can spend so long discussing different aspects, from counting chickens, to spot the spider, every time we read Imagine we find something new to talk about.
Something for everyone.
Full review (with pictures): http://www.littlebooksgrowingminds.co...
September 14, 2009
This is a book made up of multiple sections. Each section begins with page containing a short poem, the next page contains an illustration of kids pretending to be in the world described by the poem, then the next double-page-spread is filled with an intricate illustration of the described world. There are are probably 50 different animals to find in each double-page-spread, with the names of the animals to find located around the outside of the page. (This same method was used to great effect for an older audience in Graeme Base's The Water Hole). This forms the heart of the book really. The illustrations are detailed, but all the animals to find are in the open - so it is more like WHERE'S WALLY? than the tricker Water Hole (with the animals hidden in the negative spaces). That being said I would need to consult a reference to determine what animal is what in a number of the illustrations - could you determine which is the saw shark, and which the swordfish?
The version I was reading was in a tiny format (maybe 10cm by 5cm) - get the full sized one (or a magnifying glass!).
The version I was reading was in a tiny format (maybe 10cm by 5cm) - get the full sized one (or a magnifying glass!).
February 27, 2016
I didn't have patience to read this properly, identifying every single animal on the pages, but it would be a fun way to teach children of the diversity of the planet and the animal kingdom. Typically cute and classic Lester. Move on to The Waterhole by Graeme Base next for more challenging animal identification games.
May 28, 2014
This is book that shows vignettes of children creating imaginary scenarios within their house then the page is turned and a double page spread shows a detailed illustration of the real situatios.
Plays to the natural inclination of childhood imaginary play. The illustrations promote close inspection to find all of the details. Can be read again and again.
Plays to the natural inclination of childhood imaginary play. The illustrations promote close inspection to find all of the details. Can be read again and again.
April 19, 2013
This book has pictures with a search and find element good for teaching about animals from other places.
May 26, 2015
another childhood favourite
March 28, 2012
A zoological treat for children :)
December 21, 2017
penguin and polar bears... together!
I will forgive Lester this time. It is, after all, a book about imagination.
I will forgive Lester this time. It is, after all, a book about imagination.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews