View source for Mad About Mega Beasts! by Giles Andreae and David Wojtowycz (Illustrator)

{{infobox2
|title=Mad About Mega Beasts! 
|author=Giles Andreae and David Wojtowycz (Illustrator)
|reviewer=Sam Tyler
|genre=For Sharing
|rating=5
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|isbn=9781408329351
|pages=32
|publisher=Orchard Books
|date=September 2014
|aznuk=1408329352
|aznus=1408329352
|cover=1408329352
|website=
|video=
|summary=The beasts that you are about to see are not just good, not just great, but mega!  Marvel in the impressive size and awesome awesomeness of some of the most grandiose animals of all time.
}}
When I was small I was fascinated with things that were big; big buildings, big vehicles, big animals.  However, I have recently learnt that there is a size that is bigger than big – mega.  What beasts, both from now and from the past, are large enough to achieve this accolade and be welcomed into the hallowed pages of this book?

Often the simplest children’s books are the best, there does not always have to be a complex story of intricate illustrations.  A child’s attention can be caught by eye catching colours or interesting images.  It is in these areas that ''Mad About Mega Beasts!'' is so impressive.  Giles Andreae writes the words, but it is David Wojtowycz who draws the pictures that capture the imagination.

After a short introduction ''Mega Beasts'' becomes a series of two page spreads that show off one of the most impressive animals or beasts.  This can be as relatively mundane as the Giant St Bernard to as crazy as a Woolly Mammoth.  Each animal looks great due to Wojtowycz’s illustrations; he uses bold colours and every inch of the page to give a sense of scale.  The hardcover version of this book is slightly oversized and makes the mega beasts seem even more impressive.  The drawings may be a little naïve in places, but this is easily made up for with great use of colour and space.

Although Wojtowycz’s work stands out, the writing by Andreae is also impressive, not only in making a seemingly simple idea fun, but also in the little rhymes that accompany each picture.  These miniature poems encapsulate some of the characteristics of the creature succinctly, but also in a fun way.  They are easy enough to read that any youngster starting to learn their words will be following along quite happily after a few reads.  And this is likely to happen as ''Mega Beasts'' really stands out with its bold colours and amazing animals.  It is the type of simple book that a child adores and an adult can admire.

If this book appeals then you might also enjoy [[Animals by Keith Laidler]] and [[The Lonely Beast by Chris Judge]].

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[[Category:Giles Andreae]]
[[Category:David Wojtowycz]]
[[Category:Children's Rhymes and Verse]]
[[Category:Animals and Wildlife]]
[[Category:Children's Non-Fiction]]