Growing up, I had a number of books that covered a wide range of topics. I especially loved learning about the natural world, and my favorite books were ones that had unique and intriguing illustrations. I kept my love of awesome illustrations well into my adult years and these are some of my favorites. -Evan
Plot summaries from publisher.
Botanicum
curated by Katie Scott and Kathy Willis
Botanicum is a brilliantly curated guide to plant life. With artwork from Katie Scott of Animalium fame, Botanicum gives readers the experience of a fascinating exhibition from the pages of a beautiful book. From perennials to bulbs to tropical exotica, Botanicum is a wonderful feast of botanical knowledge complete with superb cross sections of how plants work.
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The Colorful World of Dinosaurs
by Matt Sewell
Did you know that Argentinosaurus was as heavy as a herd of elephants? That Mosasaurus was three times the length of a great white shark? That Microraptor was the size of a pigeon but with four wings? This magnificent book imagines dinosaurs as they might well have been, based on recent findings— feathered, finned, and full of color. Gorgeous watercolors accompany surprising, little-known, and fun-to-tell facts about dinosaur behavior, habits, and appearance, bringing these prehistoric creatures to life in a new way. This fascinating book will delight dinosaur fans, young and old.
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Planetarium
curated by Chris Wormell and Raman Prinja
Step inside the pages of this beautiful book to discover galleries of galactic matter, expertly curated to bring you the experience of a fascinating exhibition in the comfort of your own home. Planetarium features all aspects of space, from the sun and our solar system to the lives of stars, the Milky Way, and the universe beyond. With stunning artwork from Dinosaurium illustrator Chris Wormell and informative text by Raman Prinja, a professor of astrophysics at University College, London, Planetarium is perfect for budding astronomers and armchair stargazers alike.
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The Atlas of Amazing Birds
by Matt Sewell
From colossal condors to polychromatic peacocks, The Atlas of Amazing Birds celebrates winged creatures through joyful watercolors and well-researched, humorously told tales of their habits and habitats. Some birds migrate thousands of miles, others display showy mating rituals. Some survive in extreme environments, others are fast, brave, or big! Organized by continent, the book features maps of migratory patterns across Europe, Asia, Africa, Australasia, North America, South America, and Antarctica, where our feathered friends live in all sorts of interesting places — in gardens, amidst waterways, and along byways.
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Fungarium
curated by Katie Scott and Ester Gaya
Welcome to the Fungarium! Step into the world of fungi and learn all about these strange and fascinating life-forms. Illustrator Katie Scott returns to the Welcome to the Museum series with exquisite, detailed images of some of the most fascinating living organisms on this planet—fungi. Exploring every sort of fungi, from the kinds we see on supermarket shelves to those like penicillium that have shaped human history, this collection is the definitive introduction to what fungi are and just how vital they are to the world's ecosystem.
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Forgotten Beasts
by Matt Sewell
Matt Sewell's follow-up to The Colorful World of Dinosaurs is a beautifully-illustrated large format look at the amazing beasts that time forgot--from the relatively well known, such as the sabre-toothed tiger and woolly mammoth, to the obscure monsters that walked the earth millions of years ago--many now forgotten. Although less celebrated than the dinosaurs, the range of beasts is equally impressive, every one an amazing or scary creature that actually stalked the planet. Like the dinosaurs, these beasts are awe-inspiring in their variety, in a wide range of furs, feathers and colours, making for a stunning collection of vivid watercolor illustrations. These beasts are arranged chronologically--from the strange invertebrate Opabinia that lived over 500 million years ago, to the Thylacine, or Tasmanian Tiger, that became extinct in 1936.
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About the Author
Evan has been working as a Circulation Clerk at EPL since 2006 and is now also an Adult Services Assistant. He enjoys reading, watching TV, and politics. When he's not at work he loves gardening and video games.