ReadItDaddy's Second Picture Book of the Week - Week Ending 4th October 2019: "Humanimal" by Christopher Lloyd and Mark Ruffle (What On Earth Books)

Great Scott!! What On Earth Books are producing some truly amazing non-fiction titles at the moment, and this one's so good that we just had to slap a "Book of the Week" award on it.

"Humanimal" by Christopher Lloyd and Mark Ruffle is one of those books that makes you think long after you've closed the covers.

So you think you're special? You think, as a human, that you're the only animal on the planet capable of displaying intelligence, empathy, sometimes even love?

Think again! In this fabulously presented book, Christopher takes us across the planet on a whirlwind tour of the many amazing animal species that display behaviour that we sometimes think is entirely unique to humans.

For example, some ape species such as Bonobos clearly show behaviour that looks like an empathic response to a situation (for example, if one of their troop is injured, often they will stay around as long as possible to try and help, or to soothe their troop mate's wounds).

Caring creatures. Animals that clearly show empathy, even love for their troop mates and siblings

Even the blue footed booby seems to do this, older stronger siblings looking after and feeding their weaker smaller sibs when food is scarce.

The book really does open our eyes to the natural world around us, and will really make children consider how important it is to protect endangered species, and treat all animals not just as our dumb cohorts on this ball of mud, but as sentient and intelligent creatures in their own right.

The Leader of the Pack can sometimes take a rest and others will fill in for them.

Christopher's simple but effective text explains how 'human' our animal friends can seem, and Mark Ruffle's gorgeous and effective illustrations help to bring those animals brilliantly to life in each page spread.

Sum this book up in a sentence: A brilliant look at the way animals display behaviour that we consider is unique to humans, brought to life with simple but effective text and gorgeous illustrations.

"Humanimal" by Christopher Lloyd and Mark Ruffle is out now, published by What On Earth Books (kindly supplied for review).