The Curious Explorer's Illustrated Guide to Exotic Animals A to Z by Marc Martin

Start here with my previous post "Meet the Illustrator Marc Martin".

Now back to The Curious Explorer's Illustrated Guide to Exotic Animals A to Z. Begin with the title - curious - this book is sure to lead children and adults to want to discover more about the, well curious, animals in this huge format book. Illustrated - yes the illustrations are wonderful - each a work of art to linger over. Guide - each animal also has the Latin name and there is a small fact box for each on the final spread. Exotic animals (from around the world) - such as the loris; quetzal; armadillo; ibex; macaw; narwhal; and hippopotamus. There are several Australian animals (Marc Martin is an Australian illustrator) - kangaroo; Tasmanian devil; and yellow-tailed black cockatoo. And A to Z of course adds a layer of organisation to this book which is always appealing especially to a Teacher-Librarian. I previously talked about alphabet books on this video for IBBY Australia. 

Electric Eel and Flamingo

Owl and Quetzal

Bookseller blurb: From armadillo to zebras, chameleons to quetzals, these exotic animals will surprise and delight. No curious explorer should be without Marc Martin's stunning celebration of strange and beautiful creatures from all over the world. Here is a book of wonder, a unique and breathtaking treasure from one of Australia's most outstanding new talents.

The Curious Explorer's Guide to Exotic Animals A to Z was published in 2013 so it might be difficult to buy a new copy but I am certain you will be able to find this book in many school and public libraries. In 2013 this book was included as a Standing Order title from Scholastic (see the teachers notes). If I had room on my own shelves I would love to add a copy of this beautiful book.

So much more than an alphabet book, this delightful children’s picture book shares the inspiration its creator finds in the world around him. Each letter of the alphabet depicts an animal interpreted through graphic design-style illustration. Those are the facts, but the reality is that each individual illustration uses art techniques and lush textures that sets them apart. Just so stories

Today I am heading off to meet Marc Martin. His newest book Dawn will be featured at an event at Gleebooks Kids. Last week I was shelving some books in a library where I am doing some volunteer work and I spied the Curious Explorer's Guide. Here is the cover of his new book Dawn.

When I was a very young child someone gifted me this animal alphabet book published in 1961. This goes part of the way towards explain my fascination with this topic.

IBBY Australia are once again running our Mini Masterpiece Art Auction. We first ran this event in 2023. To retain our membership of IBBY International we need to pay a very large membership fee of over Aus$10,000. That is why our auction is so important. Here is our invitation letter which we have sent to over 100 Australian children's book illustrators including Marc Martin. I am the IBBY Australia National Secretary so I hope I can give Marc Martin a printed copy of this letter and then perhaps entice him to participate.

Dear Australian Illustrator,

We need your support. We were so delighted by the success of the inaugural 2023 Mini Masterpieces fundraiser that we’re going to run it again to raise funds for the Australian branch of the International Board on Books for Young People, IBBY Australia. We’re inviting celebrated Australian children’s book illustrators to donate post-card sized artworks for an online auction. 

IBBY was established following the Second World War and aims to build bridges to international understanding through children’s books. IBBY Australia promotes Australian authors and illustrators by submitting their work for several IBBY administered international awards, including:

·      Hans Christian Andersen Award
·     IBBY Honour Book List
·     Silent Books collection
·     Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities list

You can read more about IBBY and about IBBY Australia. 

Please help to keep IBBY Australia financially viable and able to support creators by donating one or no more than two postcard-sized pieces of your artwork.

·        Please post your A6 4” x 6” (105mm x 148.5mm) piece of art so it arrives by 20 October at the following address:  IBBY Australia Inc, PO Box 3425, Asquith NSW 2077

·       Please also email a digital scan of the artwork in a jpeg format, along with information about the mediums used, to IBBY.Australia@gmail.com by 20 October, to be uploaded to the auction website.

·       Donations and digital scans can be received prior to this date and will be used to promote the auction and pique people’s interest. The Mini Masterpieces auction will run from 14 November to 28 November, with the original artworks promoted as a unique Christmas gift. Each piece will have a reserve of $75.

We welcome your support to help IBBY Australia continue to promote Australian creators internationally. Your contribution will be acknowledged and celebrated on our website and our social media channels.