This book is beautifully illustrated but text heavy. Well-worth the read, but warning re: reader level: the font/typeface is small and the single-page sections may be too densely packed for young readers. Each animal is accompanied by one ornately-textured illustration. The real treat lies in the text's details: not only are facts from different cultures included, but cultural associations with each animal provide a welcome contrast. And a delightful surprise in the section titled “Fire”: three mythical creatures are included. Wonderful! ( )

This was a beautiful book and present that my sister found for me months ago while I am just getting it for a present. Who doesn't like books as presents?

Anyway this book is beautiful to look at with the gorgeous illustrations and the artwork that will catch your eye. The artwork is very detailed, very colorful and will catch your attention so much this could be a coffee table book. The other thing I like about it is the cover artwork of each chapter (one for each element) was a landscape of an element while the four animals that were in the following chapter were hidden into the scenery although I can say that I didn't find the Frog or the Bat even though I tried.

I would have loved to have a bigger book on more animal topics than was included but the ones that were chosen were well-researched and done. They didn't cover one subject but extended to various stories in different cultures while including some cultures that you don't hear anything about or very little.

If you are into mythical animals or "normal" animals with a background I would definitely approve it as a starter book. ( )