Lovely Beasts: The Surprising Truth – A Captivating Picture Book About Looking Closer at Wild Animals for Kids

by Kate Gardner, Heidi Smith (Illustrator)

Spiders are creepy. Porcupines are scary. Bats are ugly.

Or are they . . . ?

This captivating book invites you to look beyond your first impressions at these awe-inspiring animals in the wild. After all, it’s best not to judge a beast until you understand its full, lovely life.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Nonfiction, Science, Childrens, Nature, Stem

48 pages, Hardcover

Published September 18, 2018

Reviews

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very simple book about the fact that what appears to be true may not be the whole truth. For instance, gorillas seem (and surely can be) fierce, but they can also be incredibly gentle, and good and loving parents. They can really take care of each other! Spiders may be creepy-looking, to most, but they are also obviously amazing in their web art! This book is all about animals, but hey, do you think this principle of looking again at someone you assume is only one thing could be applied to humans? The art by Heidi Smith is elegant, gorgeous, allowed room to breathe by the awesome production by Balzer + Bray.

[Dna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most beautiful children's books I've ever read! Not only are the illustrations finely drawn (in a soft, gentle cross-hatch), but the story of each "scary" animal is told with tenderness. Highly recommended to parents wanting to demystify frightening beasts for their little beasts.

[Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sweet little book with great illustrations, breaking down myths like a boss.

[M. Lauritano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without question, the most beautifully illustrated book of the year. Lovely Beasts has a simple premise, executed immaculately. The subtle shift from black and white depictions of our negative first impressions to full color appreciations of various creatures works every time. This a non-fiction book that has enough tenderness that it could work as a bed time story. My only complaint is that it is not longer, with a few more animals!

[Traci · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction to a variety of misunderstood animals. Each animal is introduced in a two page spread with lovely illustration on one page and a single adjective on the other. While the adjective describes the animal, it isn’t the whole story. Turn the page and there will be another adjective as well as easy to understand facts about the animal.
I usually prefer photographs in nonfiction but the illustrations in this book are realistic and detailed and they totally work. Highly recommended for animal lovers preschool - 2nd grade.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the illustrations. I like the format. First you read the stereotypical perspective on certain animals, turn the page, and then learn something you might not have known about these animals. My only objection is that I've never thought of or heard of bats as being "ugly." I never considered them particularly cute; more a little creepy, dark, and strange. "Ugly" is such a harsh word. Otherwise, I'd have given this one five stars. Overall, the book is educational and touching. I actually teared up reading this to Alena.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved how this particular nonfiction children’s picture book focused on humans’ perception of each of these animals or animal groups, like how they are scary, annoying, or ugly to us; but then when one turns the page there are at least 3 positive aspects of each that many of us do not think about on a normal basis. These include helping maintain the food chain of the ecosystem, roles in the family or community unit, or even how many of them have a much bigger reason to be scared of humans than we are of them.

This was a good book, but I did not care for the muted color palette or illustrations—I just did not feel that they would draw children in.
4 stars

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful artwork with some surprising (and sometimes little known) animal facts including that hyenas, lions, and elephants are matriarchal, and that porcupines are quite docile plant eaters unless they're scared. A small bibliography can be found at the back along with detailed information about the specific facts but the artwork is the main event here. A good comp title for Actual Size although that one might still be my favorite of the two.

[Alyssa Gudenburr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book. The illustrations were hand drawn and beautiful. Each animal first hand only a single word to describe them, usually a stereotype. Then the next page showed a fact that challenged their stereotypes. Example: Porcupines are Prickly, but gentle.

[Sarah Daniluk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredible, soft drawings of some of our most recognizable and endangered creatures including short paragraphs of facts for all ages to enjoy.

[Katie Kothenbeutel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and fun and factual text. Wonderful!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a well-done non-fiction book for kids. It taught a few simple facts about several different animals and the pictures were really pretty.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like showing this book and doing book talks about it so much for many reasons.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations. Great information presented in a very unique way.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations with lovely prose about the surprisingly tender sides of nature's scariest, slimiest, spikiest, and most gargantuan beasts. Full of interesting details and facts. Great read-aloud!

[Becky Loader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such wonderful drawings and text...except for the spider!!!

[Kris Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes we have to begin teaching media literacy in the primary grades! This would be an excellent starting point.

[Juli Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A soft treatment of misunderstood creatures.

[DaNae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic facts, laid out in loving ways.

[Aolund · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are absolutely beautiful, but the words were just not quite enough for me. It was like the text couldn't make up its mind as to whether to be poetic or straightforward, surprising or consistent, specific or general. Probably worth it for the illustrations alone, however.

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Positive facts about animals often seen as scary or ugly.

A third-grader of my acquaintance adores this book and says it should get five stars. Here is her review:

"Wild beasts are scary but lovely, because there are a billion types of animals even in the ocean. This book has one interesting thing about each animal, like octopuses have three hearts and blue blood."

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars-- This wonderfully presented book tells "the rest of the story" about some unfairly maligned wildlife. Bats, spiders, sharks, porcupines, and more are all presented, with their unique attributes and the essential roles they play in the ecosystem. As so many species teeter on the brink of extinction, a little understanding and compassion can go a long way, and is sorely needed.

[Michele Knott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the way the author gives the readers a new perspective of each animal.

[Jeimy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Black and white illustrations and interesting facts. A page with a negative sounding adjective is followed by a description of the amazing feats these animals are capable of.

[RosaDG · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes nothing is what it seems or what we have been led to believe. This applies to some animals in nature, which sometimes may or may not be what we have always been told, but also the opposite. If you want to know certain curiosities about any of them, little readers will have to open the pages of this book, read it and enjoy its curious illustrations.

Batzuetan ezer ez da dirudiena edo sinestera eraman gaituena. Hau naturako animali batzuei dagokie, batzuetan beti esan digutena izan daiteke edo ez, baina baita kontrakoa ere. Horietako bati buruzko zenbait bitxikeria ezagutu nahi badituzu, irakurle txikiek liburu honen orrialdeak ireki, irakurri eta bere ilustrazio bitxiez gozatu beharko dute.

A veces nada es lo que parece o lo que nos han hecho creer. Esto se aplica a algunos animales de la naturaleza, que a veces pueden ser o no lo que siempre nos han dicho, pero también lo contrario. Si quieres saber ciertas curiosidades sobre alguno de ellos, los pequeños lectores tendrán que abrir las páginas de este libro, leerlo y disfrutar de sus curiosas ilustraciones.

Parfois, rien n’est ce qu’il paraît ou ce qu’on nous fait croire. Cela s'applique à certains animaux dans la nature, ce qui peut parfois être ou non ce qu'on nous a toujours dit, mais aussi le contraire. Si vous souhaitez connaître certaines curiosités sur l'un d'entre eux, les petits lecteurs devront ouvrir les pages de ce livre, le lire et profiter de ses curieuses illustrations.

[Gemma Kilgore · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Lovely Beasts: The Surprising Truth" is a piece of literature that goes beyond a piece of information or a set of facts. Paired with Heidi Smith's calming and stunningly sketched illustrations, author Kate Gardner offers her audience an invaluable message while exhibiting how scary, creepy, or ugly animals are so much more on the inside than what they look like on the outside. Wolves are fanged but they are friends. Rhinos are tough but they are lonely. Octopi are slimy but they are ingenious. All of these creatures symbolize traits that we may see in ourselves, regardless of what others might think. "Lovely Beasts: The Surprising Truth" invites readers to open their minds and advance their perceptions of inspiring animals in the wild, despite initial fear or apprehension of these animals.

***This book would work really well in a lesson that combined a social-emotional standard, as this book represents a double entendre of not judging animals by your first impressions of them, which is the same concept students should follow when engaging with peers. This informational book labels the true trait of each animal, like caregiver, leader, and vulnerable; these traits are supported by the information provided on the same page. I would use this book in a read-aloud and make it accessible in my library. Students can explore different animals, pick their favorite one and create a little project out of it, and or may write about which animal they most relate to.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This nonfiction picture book takes a brief look at a series of different animals and shows an unexpected side to each of them. Fierce gorillas are actually wonderful parents caring deeply and well for their offspring. Fanged wolves when looked at more closely are all about being friends with one another and connecting through their howls. The feared shark is an important part of its ecosystem and food cycle. The porcupine is less about throwing quills and much more about being a shy herbivore. Each animal is labeled with a false impression and then with a turn of the page the more detailed truth of the animal is shared.

Gardner has carefully selected animals that are perceived as something they are not. She wisely shares a mix of features of the animal and corrective facts that offset the false perception. The text is brief enough to make this book a great read aloud to share when exploring animal life. The book ends with a group of female pack leaders of different types and then shows all of the animals in the book together.

The illustrations are particularly lovely. Done in subtle colors and fine lines, the fur of the animals is almost touchable. Each animal is shown both singly on a simple blank background and then again in their habitat.

A beautiful and fresh look at some of the most misunderstood animals in the world. Appropriate for ages 3-5.

[Alex Baugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basically, this is a book about breaking animal stereotypes and showing young readers that there are two sides to each of the lovely beasts spotlighted in the charming book. Spiders may be creepy at first, but turn the page and discover what great crafters they are spinning their intricate webs; bats may look ugly but they also play an important role in controlling insect populations, thereby helping the environment. Some bats even help replant forests, and others disperse seeds. Young readers will learn these facts and more. Each animal is given two two-page spreads, one showing the common belief about them with a supporting illustration, and one showing their softer side, also with supporting illustration. Each of Smith's illustrations, done in charcoal pencil, then photoshopped, are gentle, thoughtful, and focused. Text and illustrations create a real celebration the biodiversity of the animals and their importance in the ecosystem. Back matter is included.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is AMAZING. With simplicity and easy facts it demonstrates that often our first impressions or stereotypes of animals are not the whole story. I learned a few things I hadn’t already known (like some seeds need to be eaten by bats before they can sprout), while also being reminded of some things I already knew (elephants, lions, and hyenas are all badass matriarchies). The illustrations are soft and simple to match the simple information provided and ultimate goal of the book. Breaking down people’s false information and stereotypes of (farm) animals is part of my job, and I really appreciated that this book extended that to quite a wide variety of animals. I’m definitely guilty of stereotype-driven animosity for spiders, and it was a good reminder to rethink. Parallels can be easily drawn to human interactions: how are our stereotypes of others (like the ones we have of these animals) not a fair assessment of a person’s whole identity or story?

[Gracie Hamlett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: This book goes through many beasts, like rhinos, spiders, sharks, and elephants. They are all animals that some people are scared of or disturbed by. In this book, Kate Gardner tried to debunk some of the misconceptions about these animals. For example: bees may sting but they really do not want to, they just need to protect their hive. They would rather be making honey than stinging you.

Analysis: This is a really cool concept for a book. I liked how to illustration were at first in black and white to make the animal more intimidating but when you flip the page, it is colorful showing the animals true character.

How I would use this book: This book is great for any classroom library. I think students would be interested in learning about some of these things. We could write down some of our preconceived notions about some animals and spend some time researching and trying to debunk them.