Renne (1)

Dutch author/illustrator Renne explores the world of fresh and saltwater animals in this work of picture-book natural history. From animals like fish, that must remain immersed in water, to those like whales, which live in water but emerge to breathe air, a variety of animal types and species is discussed. Animals that live on land but depend upon the water - certain bird and insect species - are also discussed. A number of two-page spreads are devoted to identifying the animals in a given ecosystem - a freshwater pond, for instance - while a pull-out page identifies a number of marine mammals. The book concludes with a glossary, a list of further reading and viewing ideas, and an index...

Originally published in the Netherlands as Ik leef in het water (literally translated as "I Live in the Water"), Animals That Live in Water is one of six picture-books belonging to the Animals Up Close series (De Natuur op Schoot series in the Dutch), each of which examines some thematic topic relevant to the animal world. Animal Males and Females, for instance, looks at sexual dimorphism in the animal kingdom, whereas Animals and Their Eggs examines one aspect of the reproductive cycle. This is the first in the series that I have read, and I sought it out, not for its informative text, but because I enjoy Renne's artwork, and wanted to see more of it, after enjoying her (his?) The Ice Horse. Given that focus, I found this one appealing, appreciating the artist's depiction of a diverse array of animals, and their watery habitats. The text was (as mentioned) informative, although I did feel from time to time that the organizational structure of the book was somewhat muddled, moving back and forth between salt and freshwater ecosystems. Leaving that aside, I would recommend this one to young animal lovers, as well as to anyone who enjoys the artist's work.… (mehr)

When a little Icelandic horse is exiled from his herd by the reigning stallion, he is hurt and confused, missing the company of his friends. Following them from a distance, he does the best he can to survive, as the harsh winter snows begin. When he discovers a cozy cave in which to weather the storm, he thinks to share this knowledge with the others, but first he must battle the black stallion for leadership of the herd...

Originally published in the Netherlands as Verdwaald in de sneeuw: Een veulen verovert zijn plek (literally, "Lost in the Snow: A Foal Takes His Place), The Ice Horse is both educational and entertaining, pairing an engrossing story with gorgeous artwork. I appreciated the fact that there were little informational sidebars sprinkled throughout, giving more facts about horses, and I also liked the little map and brief history of the Icelandic Horse, given on the rear endpaper. The illustrations were just breathtaking, capturing the charm of these equine characters, as well as the beauty of the natural world around them. This would make an ideal picture-book for a young horse lover. For my part, I hope to track down more of author/illustrator Renne's work.… (mehr)