Publisher Description

Publisher's Note: A Curious Collection of Peculiar Creatures was previously published in Australia as The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Ugly Animals.

What's your favorite animal--a majestic lion, a graceful horse? Those are great choices, but have you considered the fangtooth moray eel? It has two rows of icicle-shaped teeth! And the monkey slug caterpillar is ready to cuddle . . . just look out for the stingers all over its body (and its six limbs that technically aren't legs)!

It's true, these animals are a little different--but their unusual features often give them incredible superpowers. Take the nearly blind star-nosed mole: Its pink, flower-shaped nose can detect the microscopic texture of everything it touches, and it does this at warp speed--up to 12 objects per second!

What's more, many of these weird, wonderful creatures need our help: They're endangered, and we can't afford to ignore their well-being any longer. It's time to find a peculiar creature to love! Why not the blobfish?

Author Biography

Sami Bayly holds a degree in natural history illustration from the University of Newcastle. She's drawn to the weird and wonderful--finding the beauty and importance in all living things, regardless of their appearance--and is eager to share her appreciation with others. She lives in Newcastle, Australia. Visit her at SamiBayly.com.

Review

An Indie Bestseller Amazon Editors' Pick--Best Nonfiction for Kids
An Indie Book Awards Best Children's Book of the Year
2020 Foreword INDIES Gold Winner

"The Perfect Gift for Curious Young Minds-- "Mountain Life"

Review Quote

"This informative book with spectacular illustrations of ugly animals will inform, entertain, and promote discussion about what is ugly and what is not."-- 4.5 stars, Sunday Telegraph "Enough of the cute and cuddly, time to rethink the dichotomy of beauty and ugliness and to celebrate the weird and wonderful. Bayly researched and painted 60 of the world's most aesthetically challenged animals for her encyclopedia."-- Sydney Morning Herald

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