User:Brkyel/sandbox

By Wallace Edwards
Alphabeasts is not your average book of ABC's. It takes you on a wonderful journey through a magical house were beasts of all sorts live, from the Alligator to the Zebra, animals of all kinds reside in this house. Although this book is not covered from top to bottom in script, it makes up for the lack in outstanding illustrations, and is still an educational and fun way to help children learn the alphabet. As you progress through the house you being to meet these stunningly realistic animals surrounded it outstanding detailed cartoon background or living space. Along with the illustrations Wallace uses some animals for each alphabetical letter that are not your "ordinary" animals you usually may find in a book of ABC's (Fish, Dog, Snake ect.). For Example, "N is for Narwhal wrapped in a shawl." This allows the reader to not only learn a possible new animal such as the Narwhal but also be able to put an extremely realistic image to the word, hopefully then creating a little understanding of what that animal looks like.

Illustrations
When you turn every page in Alphabeasts you are treated with the bright, vivid, and extremely detailed illustrations that match accordingly with their animal of the alphabet. For example on the page with the letter L there is a picture of a beautiful Lion with it's mane all done up in curls, twists and braids. Surrounding him are combs and brushes with detailed handles and designs. Not to mention the complex wall paper or the realistic look of the hardwood floor. Underneath this spectacular photo the simplicity of the words allow the reader to let there imagination run wild. "L is for Lion, styling his locks." Who styled his locks? Why are they styled? Does he had somewhere to be? These possible questions can help the reader create there own story, and possibly use that to make a stronger connection to the book. All of this detail given to the reader in combination with help from another possible reader, for example explaining what a Quetzal or a Mandrill is. With help the possibility moving from just a learning process to an proposed eye catching, interesting and fun learning process that the child might want to repeat.

Wallace Edwards
Wallace Edwards is a Canadian man from Ontario who graduated from Ontario Collage of Art. He is very well known for his illustrations in watercolour and pencil mixing the cartoon aspect along with the scientific. After graduation it was Wallace's realistic drawings that originally brought him into the spot light, doing work for the Metro Toronto Zoo and Environment Canada. But he has now found a perfect balance of reality and illustration.

He has published many other children's books with the same artistic style as Alphabeasts such as: Monkey Business, Mixed Beasts, The Extinct Files, The Painted Circus, You Are the Earth, The Cat’s Pajama and Uncle Wally’s Old Brown Shoe. Which have all gone on to win various awards.

Awards and Reviews
Wallace Edwards had won many awards for many of his children's books. Awards such as •Junior Library Guild Award, USA, Children’s Choices – Best Books of 2011, •Gold Medal, ‘IPPY’ (Independent Publisher Book Award) for best Children’s Picture Book, age 7 & over, 2007;,•Finalist (one of top five books), for the Governor General’s Literary Award for children’s book illustration, along with many other nominations and recognition.

Alphabeasts has won Governor General’s Literary Award in 2002 along with Book of the Year, Gold Medal, ForeWord Magazine and nominated for many others.

He has also been raved about in Globe & Mail, Quill & Quire and Children’s Book News for the love and creatitivity of his books and illustrations.