Genius Eyes: A Curious Animal Compendium

by Lena Anlauf, Marshall Yarbrough (translator), Vitali Konstantinov (illustrator)

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Childrens, Art, Animals

64 pages, Hardcover

Published September 9, 2025

Reviews

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Genius Eyes is a beautifully illustrated encyclopedia type book in the style of a sketchbook, all about the many different types of amazing (some even creepy) eyes of the animals on our planet.
This is an amazing series of books for children and filled with interesting and unique facts.
I'd never thought about the many different types of eyes and vision of animals compared to our own human ones, so this was absolutely fascinating.
This book and the rest in its series would make a beautiful collection to add to any library, school, or home.

[Theediscerning · Rating 3 out of 5]

A third book in this series of noticeably old-fashioned picture books, here concerning the eye. There is nothing about the fascinating way it might or might not have evolved – I am sure I was told it evolved on multiple occasions and in multiple ways, hence some of the intrigue – and indeed there is nothing, except nature notes for animals regarding their eyes.

The first chunk is just then devoted to large eyes, in those critters that need to see in low light, whether that be the dark forest or the deepest sea. We then have a spread of diverse beasties, with their own tricks, from squirting blood out their eye sockets to those with smelly tears. Reindeer eyes change their colour depending on the season, but some birds can practically blink and they've changed their iris colour. Chamois have horizontal pupils so they have a wider area of sight – but when they put their head down ninety degrees to eat, things swivel so their pupils are still horizontal, like a spirit level.

There is always a case that biology lessons should divert from such wacky superlatives and give us the basics, but this is a way of seeing how life works in the more remarkable ways, and being the third in this series it's doing just what the others have done. The text is clear, but not really primary school level, while the art is definitely handmade, and designed to bring both character and accuracy to proceedings. I don't however think I was as impressed with this as I was with the noses volume (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) and that might be down to the lack of sheer novelty, or because this ended earlier than I thought and without really staggering me with information. But the seeker of Mother Nature's quirks need go no further – this series of books is certainly different and never unwelcome. Three and a half stars.

[Ashley Osborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

BOOK REVIEW: “Genius Eyes: A Curious Animal Compendium” by Lena Anlauf and Vitali Konstantinov

Have you ever stopped to consider the amazing differences between the animals of our world? How about how each animal’s eyes are special and unique to them? In this collection, you’ll learn about many different animals and how they are unique! You’ll learn about:

👀 Giant eyes
👀 Talking eyes
👀 Accessorized eyes
👀 Adaptable eyes
👀 Masked eyes
👀 Teary eyes
👀 Super pupils
👀 Many eyes
👀 Stalked eyes
👀 Scary eyes

Each section lists multiple animals and some unique facts about them! Do you know what makes a cat’s eyes glow in the dark? Did you know that eagles can see things faster than humans? Did you know that dark patches of fur or feathers around an animal’s eyes can act like sunglasses?

These are just a few examples of the unique facts you’ll find in this book! It’s sure to become a favorite for your smallest nature fan!

I think this book is adorable! As someone who loves science, I love the way the author and illustrator portrayed the animals, and made them seem so fun and interesting! I highly recommend.

[Tahira Ahmad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This beautifully illustrated compendium invites readers to view the natural world through the extraordinary vision of animals. From the compound eyes of insects to the night-adapted gaze of owls, Anlauf presents fascinating facts about how creatures large and small perceive their environments. Each entry is paired with Konstantinov’s detailed and whimsical artwork, which blends scientific accuracy with child-friendly appeal. Yarbrough’s smooth translation ensures the lively text remains both informative and accessible.
The book is organized by themes—light, color, movement, and adaptation—making it ideal for browsing as well as for classroom use. Young readers will delight in learning that some animals see ultraviolet light, while others rely on motion sensitivity or heat detection. While written with middle-grade students in mind, the accessible language and engaging visuals make this an appealing choice for a wide age range.
Verdict: A captivating blend of science and art that encourages curiosity about the animal kingdom. Highly recommended for school and public libraries, particularly in STEM and nonfiction collections.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! The drawings are wonderful, and I really enjoyed the way the text is laid out. The different types of eyes are cleverly categorized, making it both engaging and educational. While there’s quite a bit of text for young children, it’s the kind of book that can grow with them — something to be enjoyed visually at first, with an adult reading aloud, and then later revisited when they can read it themselves.

I also learned so much! There are many animals in here I’d never even heard of before. Along with explaining how different animals’ eyes work — and how they sometimes serve purposes beyond just seeing — the book offers fascinating facts about the animals themselves. Some will be familiar, but many are delightfully surprising.

There’s even a page of sources for further reading and a helpful index at the back. I was happy to learn this is part of a series that includes Genius Noses and Genius Ears. Together, they’d make a wonderful set for introducing children to the amazing diversity of the animal world.

[Hannah Mullinax · Rating 5 out of 5]

Special thank you to NorthSouth Books Inc. for the advanced reader access!

This book was such a joy to read—fun, fascinating, and filled with wonderful facts about animal diversity. Genius Eyes takes readers on a journey through the science and biology of animal eyes, showcasing the powerful and unique abilities that make each species special.

Not only did my niece love discovering new animals and their incredible vision, but the book also resonated with her on a personal level. She recently got glasses, and reading about animals with their own unique ways of seeing seemed to validate her experience and remind her that differences can be strengths.

With engaging information, charming illustrations, and subtle lessons about self-acceptance, this book is more than just educational—it’s also heartwarming. A truly special read that belongs in classrooms, libraries, and homes alike.

[YSBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book introduces us to a variety of animals and their different eyes and how they allow for adaptation and survival in their natural habitats. The illustrations brought life to the text by making it silly, funny, and eyecatching, pulling readers into the nonfiction content. The format of the illustrations also allows for natural flow as we bounce around to each blurb of text, which is informative but not overwhelming. From “Big Eyes” to “Accessorized Eyes”, readers will encounter a variety of animals with incredible adaptations and learn why there are ridges, eyelashes, colors, and even sneaky lids (like the potoo’s three notched eyelid). From deep in the ocean to high in the sky, mammal to reptile, there are incredible eyes all over the natural world. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Casey Densmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was pretty unique because it is all about the eyes of animals. There are some great, interesting facts in this book and I enjoyed reading them. The animals and bugs are high interest so kids would enjoy reading about them. The illustrations are beautifully done. They have a lot of detail but they also give each animal a fun, cute face. I could see kids really enjoying this book in my classroom, so I will be purchasing one to add to my library! I also think it could come in handy for our animal research project.
I would recommend this book for any animal lover!

Thank you Lena Anlauf and NorthSouth Books Inc. for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book via NetGalley! This review was written voluntarily and all opinions are my own.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating exploration of the many ways animals see the world! Presented in the style of a naturalist’s sketchbook, this beautifully illustrated compendium showcases the incredible variety of animal eyes—from giant eyes to super pupils, accessorized eyes to downright spooky ones. The charming ink-and-colored-pencil illustrations bring each creature to life, making this both an artistic delight and an informative read. With Latin names included and well-researched back matter, this is a must-have for young animal lovers and a great addition to any public library collection.

Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing this ARC.

[LaBibliodeCaro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genius Eyes is an educational illustrated books for kids to learn about wildlife, in particular their eyes and related matters. Adults will also enjoy learning about it all too.
The visuals are bright and fun. Very cool!
It's packed with information. A very interesting concept. The only issue I have with it was the choice of font. I believe it's too small (narrow) and whimsical; a more neutral one would make the reading experience a bit more comfortable (adding more pages to spread to amount of information would have made the pages "breathe" more too.)

[Emily Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great. I loved the illustrations, and I loved the choice of animals. Good choice of which facts to present. I especially loved the index at the back that gave the list of animals and which page each was on, which is a bit rare in a picture book. I wished the text was a little larger, since my eyes are less genius than they used to be, but other than that, I have no notes. Extra love for the feathery owls. Thanks for letting me read the ARC.

[Rachel Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who knew there was that much to learn about animal eyes?! Genius Eyes is an engaging nonfiction encyclopedia-style book that investigates the many incredible eye adaptations found in nature. The information within was very detailed while still be accessible to elementary-age kids. The sketched illustrations were both inviting and accurate. A great nonfiction addition to the elementary library!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This non fiction book talks about different kinds of eyes on animals; giant eyes, talking eyes, adaptable eyes, masked eyes, teary eyes, super pupils, many eyes -mantis and cockroach, stacked eyes, scary eyes, and has an appendix at the back. (glossary)

[Danielle Mccoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this eBook from netGalley for a honest review.

This colorfully illustrated book is full of wonderful animal facts mostly around eyes. I learned a lot from this book and will look for the other books in this series to learn more about animals.

[Catherine Gilbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun little book filled with fun facts! Perfect for people and children who love learning about the nature surrendering us!

[Michelle Ardillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This will be a sure winner with all the elementary school children who are crazy about animals! Great illustrations!

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book about eyes of animals and what makes certain animals eyes special. I was mostly in it for the colored pencil illustration that are sooo pretty and detailed.

[Amy Mobley]

November mini-challenge: in the 500s of the Dewey Decimal system (591.4)

[Mckenzie Middlebrooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated and full of fun facts. Perfect fit for my babe and me.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from NorthSouth Books Inc. through NetGalley.
Anlauf's latest in the Genius Animals series.
The author offers readers the opportunity to learn about a wide variety of animals who use their eyes in important ways. I appreciate how she breaks down the categories and offers short paragraph text for each animal on a page spread. Elementary level readers can read through straight or read about certain animals only. The illustrations capture the species and show a small portion of their environments. A definite addition to libraries in their animals or natural science areas.

[Cathy Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book! I had a lot of fun reading this.

In addition to the primary focus on vision, some details I loved:
* Illustrations: very detailed and true-to-life.
* Great presentation of a variety of animal groups to show the diversity of eye forms and vision adaptations.
* Information about animal ecology, both relevant to vision (e.g., why some species are nocturnal, camouflage, how tarsiers locate prey at night) and other interesting facts of the species' ecology and life history.
* Age-appropriate scientific terminology: some children's books are too "simple" imo, almost talking down to the reader. This book does not! The author includes and explains terms like monochromat, dichromat, and eye anatomical terms (tapetum lucidum, etc.) in an age-appropriate manner. This is very well done. There is also a glossary and list of references!
* Eye adaptations: a personal favorite, as an evolutionary biologist. The descriptions and illustrations of cave salamanders, birds of paradise, and horned lizard are really fantastic.

This is a great book for kids and adults alike, but my best guess for age range is probably upper elementary through middle or high school. I will definitely be recommending this book to everyone I know who has kids.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the eARC.

[Jenn Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are lots of interesting animals in this book, some I did not know very much about. The art is adorable and goes well with the facts. Kids will enjoy it because it combines interesting animals with cute art and it doesn't dumb down the language. It just explains.

4 stars

[Julie Ditton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is pure genius! This compendium is an encyclopedia of different animals with interesting ocular adaptations. Each section focuses on different types of variations, from giant eyes, to stalked or scary eyes, each interesting variation has a purpose. The watercolor illustrations by Vitali Konstantinov are delightful. This book will thrill nature lovers young and old.

I read an electronic advanced reader's copy from the publisher, but I can honestly recommend this book to teachers, libraries and families with nature enthusiasts.