My Encyclopedia of Very Important Animals (Dorling Kindersley)

The DK range has always been fantastic for a wide range of age groups, and has always provided stunningly presented and engaging books to really draw in and stimulate kid's curiosities...
It's also fair to say that some kids might find those big hefty and very detailed books a little daunting.

We've always wondered whether there was a happy medium, a good leap-in point for kids the same age as Charlotte's little cousin, who at 3 years old is just beginning to show an interest in non fiction titles as well as the more traditional story-based picture books.

"My Encyclopedia of Very Important Animals" is absolutely perfectly suited to that role, and yet proves to once again be just as engaging for older kids too.

It's a smaller format book, a happier 'fit' for little hands, and the pages are purposely a little more sparsely detailed than the 'big and proper' DK books we know and love. This helps the book fulfil a vital role in introducing little ones to all the animal species around our planet, particularly those that need our conservation and protection the most.

Sea Turtles. Fascinating, cute and endangered. Find out more about these wonderful creatures in this book

As you can see from the bookshot, there are still plenty of amazing facts and interesting snippets of info on all the animals featured inside, and of course tons and tons of brilliant illustrations and full colour photographs to help kids learn about and identify each animal and species.

It's a really lovely little book this, the ideal first 'proper' animal book for your little ones if they're just progressing beyond board books into more interesting fare.

"My Encyclopedia of Very Important Animals" is out now, published by Dorling Kindersley (kindly supplied for review).