Published by Big Picture Press, 2017.

Animazes is a beautiful and original book. Each illustrated double page spread depicts the migration of a different animal. There are animals of all shapes and sizes from Antarctic krill to humpback whales. There are land animals, sea creatures and birds. In all, there are 14 different journeys: in water, by air, across deserts and over pack ice.

The originality of the book lies in its interactive elements. Every double page is a maze. The reader is encouraged to trace each animal’s journey with their finger, sometimes turning the book from the usual horizontal orientation to a vertical one. As you wind your way through the maze, there are obstacles, dangerous dead ends and fascinating facts along the way. Did you know that migrating reindeer can run as fast as 50 miles per hour or that Arctic terns glide on the wind to save energy and can actually sleep while they fly? I think the mazes are a great idea; it’s as if you’re taking the journey too. You are really drawn into the detail of the animal’s world.

The sumptuous, stylised illustrations are fabulous to look at – real works of art. Melissa Castrillón has used three or four colours per double page spread and her colour palette varies from animal to animal. The different colour ways are just stunning.

Animazes is a very absorbing and informative book and an innovative take on non-fiction.

Rating: 💙💙💙💙

Suitable for children aged 7+

Thank you to Big Picture Press for sending me this book to review.