All My Animals by Dawid Ryski

Animals paired with accessories elicit smiles and bestow knowledge in this larger-than-life volume with charismatic poster-sized illustrations.

An octopus swims next to a jar of ink with a quill pen. A friendly, brown grizzly bear stares from across the page at a beehive dripping with honey. A wise owl perches next to his prized spectacles. In All My Animals, twenty-three animals and twenty-three accessories are colorfully illustrated with attention to detail and an eye for quirky humor. The iconic vintage style of illustrator Dawid Ryski reimagines well-known animals into works of art reminiscent of classic posters.

Within the captivating pages of All My Animals, one page shows the animal and, on the opposite page, sits its matching accessory. These pairings invite readers to think about the distinct personalities of a jovial cast of animal characters and to be transported to a realm where animals interact with human objects. Short poems penned by Lauren Napier create a narrative to engage and delight readers of any age. From tigers to crocodiles to parrots, the nuances of the animal kingdom come to life in detailed portraits, humorous connections, and engaging poems.

Born in 1982, Dawid Ryski resides in Pulawy, Poland. Immersing himself in a world of graphics and music, he has illustrated numerous newspaper and magazine articles, created countless concert posters and album covers, and is the drummer of The Feral Trees and A Hidden World. Dawid is also the illustrator of Alphabetics, a beloved Little Gestalten classic.

Lauren Napier is a writer for several publications including NPR Berlin, Music Zeitgeist, and Smash Magazine. After years of touring as both manager and journalist with punk bands, she now resides in Berlin with her black cat. Wordsmith and musician, she exists in a professional realm of music and text.