Neste livro deslumbrante, poderás espreitar por baixo da superfície e ver animais por lá se escondem. Fica a conhecer criaturas grandes e pequenas . Desde as profundezas do oceano, passando pela floresta tropical e pelo gálido Ártico , até à seca savana. As magníficas ilustrações de Hanako Cludow dão vida às maravilhas da natureza.
My review: I love this book! It's so much fun and such a clever idea. Both my seven-year-old and almost-five-year-old were eager to turn the flaps on each page to see what was "above" or "below" the existing picture on each page. For example, with the ocean, you first see above the surface -- then you turn the half-page flap and now you can see what is below the surface of the water, too. Great way to introduce different animals and their habitats. My youngest likes hidden picture "where's Waldo" type books and you can turn this into one by having the children spot each animal (from the left side of the book) in the corresponding habitat (on the right side of the book). The illustrations are great -- the animals are cute and even the predators are not scary (well, except maybe the crocodile, as mentioned below) while also being realistically depicted. Highly recommend!
My seven-year-old son wanted to help write a review: "I really liked the savanna but the crocodiles might be scary for little kids. I liked the Arctic and the whales. I liked the cliff tops. I liked the forest. I liked the mountain caves and the eagle. I really liked the river and the North Pole. I would give it three and a half stars."
Young readers can explore eight different animal habitats or ecosystems - the ocean, the rain forest, the north pole, a river, mountain caves, the African Savannah, cliff tops, and the forest - in this beautiful lift-the-flaps book. There is a short introduction to each ecosystem, followed by brief facts of the most common animals, insects, flora, and fauna found there at ground level. Lift the flap and you will discover what animals are usually found either above or below ground level, uncovering a world generally hidden from most of us. The flaps make this a fun interactive book and are a nice size for young hands, each one is the size of half a page, great for young hands and for further explorations. I used this book to introduce kids to a unit on ecosystems for Earth Day and they loved it, especially discovering what was under the flaps. The illustrations are both realistic and whimsical, and there is lots happening on each page, but not to the point of distraction. A lovely way to learn about the wider world around us.
I really enjoyed this gorgeous non fiction book about different eco systems and animals etc! I think it would be a great text to use alongside a science lesson about habitats in KS1 as it would help bring the learning alive. I particularly liked how the pages were split in too to make flaps as this allows the book and its contents to be more accessible.
This book is stunning honestly. The art is absolutely beautiful. It is a strictly nonfiction. There is no cute story or lesson. Each page has a different habitat that contains little facts about the animals that live there, categorizing them by what is above the land and below it.
Well written non fiction book that describes the different habitats found on earth and compares what can be seen each time and what is hidden below. Useful when looking at habitats and the animals found there.
Dit was een mooi boek over dieren die boven en onder in een biotoop leven. Van bossen tot regenwouden tot kliffen. Leuk dat je de grote flappen kon omdraaien en dan weer een nieuw stukje zag met nieuwe beestjes en informatie.
Above and Below is a captivating and educational split-page book that takes readers on a fascinating journey through the world’s diverse ecosystems, both above and below the surface. From the depths of the ocean to the highest treetops, every page opens up a whole new world of wildlife that is illustrated in vibrant, stunning detail. What initially drew me in was the adorable yet intricately designed animal illustrations—there's something about the way the creatures are brought to life on the page that truly makes this book feel special. The artwork alone makes the book worth exploring, but it’s the balance of stunning visuals with insightful, educational content that makes Above and Below an exceptional find.
As someone who’s always had an affinity for nature and wildlife, this book sparked my curiosity and reminded me why I fell in love with the natural world in the first place. It’s not just a picture book—it’s a deeply informative dive into the complexity of life on Earth. The split-page design adds a unique element that feels like you’re peeling back the layers of each habitat, revealing secrets both in the skies above and the hidden worlds beneath the ground. As you flip through each page, you gain a deeper understanding of how interconnected and diverse nature is.
One of the things that really stood out to me was how much I learned from *Above and Below*. The book is packed with fascinating facts and trivia that broadened my understanding of wildlife. For instance, I discovered that crabs have over 4,500 species, each with its own unique adaptations, which was surprising given how vast the crab family truly is. Starfish, lacking brains and blood, are slow-moving creatures, which might explain Patrick the starfish’s endearing cluelessness in SpongeBob. Corals, which are translucent, get their vibrant colors from algae, a beautiful detail that adds to their complexity. Jellyfish have a peculiar way of eating, trapping their food in a flowing film of mucus. I was amazed to learn that sloths sleep for 15 to 20 hours a day—something I found quite relatable! Snow geese fly in a V formation to reduce wind drag during their long migrations, a clever strategy that ensures energy efficiency. Porpoises have between 60 to 120 teeth, something I never expected from such gentle creatures, and narwhals, known for their tusks, actually have a single elongated tooth that grows through their upper lip, adding to their mysterious allure. Acorns grow from oak trees, but only when the trees reach at least 40 years old, which made me appreciate how long it takes for these majestic trees to mature. The willow tree, one of my favorites, is the fastest-growing tree in the world, a fact that makes their graceful branches even more impressive. The “hum” of a hummingbird comes from the rapid flapping of its wings, a feat of incredible speed and agility. I was also struck by the resilience of the baobab tree, whose bloated trunks store water, allowing them to survive in dry climates. Scorpions, which have been around since before the dinosaurs, are among the oldest living creatures on Earth—a testament to their survival through evolutionary changes. Finally, badgers can eat up to 200 earthworms a day, highlighting just how industrious these small but mighty animals are.
Each fact added to my growing fascination with the natural world, and it was clear that the authors put a lot of effort into selecting interesting and often lesser-known trivia that would engage young readers (and adults alike). I couldn’t help but feel like a naturalist flipping through this book, gaining new insights with each turn of the page. I’ve always loved wildlife and nature, and during the pandemic, I started a painting series inspired by animals and natural landscapes. Above and Below gave me even more inspiration to continue exploring and learning about the world around us.
The split-page format also deserves special mention. It’s not just a gimmick—it’s an essential part of how the book tells its story. On one half of the page, you see life as it exists above ground, and when you flip the flap, you reveal what lies beneath the surface. This format creates a sense of discovery, as though you’re uncovering nature’s hidden secrets with each turn. It’s an interactive element that adds an extra layer of engagement to the reading experience.
The vibrant illustrations were also a major highlight for me. The artists didn’t just capture the animals themselves but brought their habitats to life as well. From the icy Arctic to the dry savannahs and tropical rainforests, each page felt like stepping into a different corner of the world. The use of color is striking and vivid, making the wildlife practically leap off the page. I loved how detailed the illustrations were—whether it was the way the sunlight reflected off the ocean waves or the delicate shading on a butterfly’s wings, every image seemed to tell its own story.
In conclusion, Above and Below is a must-have for wildlife enthusiasts, both young and old. The book's mix of engaging artwork, interactive design, and informative content makes it a delightful and enriching read. Whether you’re a child with a budding interest in nature or an adult who appreciates the beauty of the natural world, this book has something to offer. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about the incredible creatures that inhabit our planet. Reading it made me feel like a naturalist myself—someone who’s always eager to explore, learn, and deepen their connection to the Earth.
A well done non-fiction picture book that focuses on various habitats including the arctic, savannah, forest and more. The illustrations are very nice and include many common animals plus some more obscure ones typically not seen in books for young children. Plant life and insects are also included for some habitats. The book has half pages for each habitat so the reader can see what is above and below the water in each habitat. My child enjoyed this book and after reading it she wanted to go back through and name the animals again. Each habitat has a key showing what every animal is and some information about it. This is a book nice enough to purchase because it has a lot of readability.
This is 100% worth the read! I am thrilled to have found this intriguing book, ‘Above and Below’ which kept my kids fully engaged from cover to cover. Due to the lift-and-flap pages, we felt the fascination of discovering the world in a unique way - what is above the ground and below. It left an impression on my kids seeing how different animals live and thrive in different environments yet each are so beautiful in their own way. My kids are passionate about animals, books about animals, etc. and this is our #1 favorite of all.
Hmm, this book was really interesting. I love how you'd look at the picture and turn the bottom or top half of the page and see things as they are down below. It has a great lot of information in it and really nice illustrations. For younger groups you could probably tell it like a wordless book, though it's not a story.
Jack received this book secondhand from family. He pulled it off the shelf to read tonight before bed, and despite its wordiness, he sat through the whole thing. He loved the animals and the detailed habitat illustrations, which I also found really lovely. The book has lots of fascinating animal facts that he can grow into and read when he is older.
Learn all about life both animal and plant above and below. I loved all the different animals and plants have learned about in this book with the extra flap to show above or below. If you are an animal lover I highly recommend this book for you and your little one.
I like an entertaining kids book where they also learn and have to look for things and possibly learn to count. I wish the pictures would have been more colorful
I liked how the book was designed, the pages were split horizontally, so you could turn part of the page and read the back while still looking at the top or bottom part.
Explore the ocean, the rainforest, the North Pole, the river, mountain caves, the savannah, seaside clifftops, and the forest. Learn the basics about each location and some of the wildlife that call that location home.
Each spread has a half page flap (really an extra half page) that reveals more illustrations and more critter information about that habitat when it is turned. The little info blurbs are solid scientifically and interesting. The illustrations are cute and eye-catching, and this explores some habitats often missed in habitat/biome books. This is a great nonfiction resource for kids. Thanks to the illustration style and the fun half pages, I can see this being a book that would grow with the kids. Really little ones will love it for the illustrations and learn animal names. As they grow, they can start to absorb more of the information about the setting and animals.
This interactive book is perfect for a study on different ecosystems around the world. It is also a good book for students who want to learn more about what types of animals and plants live in different areas. The flaps on each page make this book fun and engaging. Students who enjoy other lift-flap books or shine-a-light books will be sure to enjoy this one. The book is not text heavy which makes it great for struggling and/or reluctant readers.