Tongue firmly in cheek, Bell explains in her introduction that she’s a collector of records by animal musicians, from the 1940s to the ’80s. . . uproariously funny, clever lyrics. . . Hilarious, high-stepping tributes to a musical niche that never was.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Bell brings the absolute best of her exuberant wit to this inventive, zany, hilarious assemblage of album covers. After a deadpan introduction explains this “authentic” collection of rare vintage LPs, Bell presents a deeply silly, enormously enjoyable A to Z of animals as recording artists. . . . Meticulously crafted collages of hand-painted paper and paint strike every right note in cleverly recalling classic album-cover design of the mid- to late-twentieth century. . . Reveling in everything alliterative, the humor swings from goofy to groanworthy, from silly to sophisticated. . . . Rounding out this musical tour de force, Bell offers audio of these super silly songs accessible online via QR code.
—Booklist (starred review)
Newbery Honoree Bell creates an entire high-fidelity world with this clever, irresistibly prodigious abecedarian, which features album cover art and one song’s worth of liner-note lyrics from 26 invented animal recording artists. . . . For new listeners and seasoned audiophiles alike, this rigorously imaginative tour de force—conjured up from collaged, hand-painted paper and even a little embroidery—displays Bell’s goofy, deeply affectionate, no-detail-left-behind creativity, which turns each rockin’ concept “up to 11.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
A sheer delight for all ages! Cece Bell’s picture book pays homage to music both through her lyrical poems—er, SONGS—and the stylish album covers that go with them. Unique, hilarious, and beautifully illustrated, Animal Albums from A to Z will have readers singing along!
—Lorie Barber, Anderson’s Bookshop
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