As a kid I checked Graeme Base’s “Discovery of Dragons” out  from the library more times than I can remember.  His illustrations are so vivid that you can just fall into them, like the sidewalk chalk scene in Mary Poppins.  So detailed that you can imagine exploring that world, crawling around the corner of the picture and living in it.  His illustrations are simply mesmerizing.

 Though I’m certain I must have checked out “Animalia” as a kid, I don’t remember it vividly like I do with “The Discovery of Dragons.”  It’s essentially an alphabet book that uses ridiculous phrases (Think Dr. Seuss’s ABC’s) and crazy-wonderful pictures to illustrate each letter.  I would never have noticed this as a kid, but inside this book is a little Easter egg for all of you Doctor Who fans out there–who I’m sure thought you’d never run into a Dalek until later in life.  Continue reading →