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
