I was sad not to see the plucky platypus here, but other than that omission, The Animal Book does an excellent job of introducing kids to the extraordinary diversity of life on Earth. The book is structured according to the scientific taxonomy of species with sections on microscopic life, fungi, plants, invertebrates, insects, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. More than 1500 species are presented here in gorgeous full colour photography.