Land
Legions of land animals show up across many genres of books, perhaps because they are simply easier to spot by authors and artists. Early descriptions of the world, particularly from regions unfamiliar to many readers, often included images—with varying degrees of accuracy—of the strange and wondrous animals found in other locales. As scientific exploration advanced, so did the accuracy and detail of the animal depictions. Land animals fascinated more than just scientists and explorers; whimsical depictions of land animals of all types and sizes appear in literature and children’s tales. Whether from the familiar house cat to the strange camel-leopard and platypus, artists and readers alike have delighted in the variety and oddities of land animals for centuries.
Archetypes are often incorporated into myths and stories as animals. The polar bear, portrayed here by Danish illustrator Kay Nielsen, is featured in the Norwegian fairytale East of the Sun, West of the Moon.
Explorers and scientists depict animals from far-off regions of the world to fascinate readers. Anteaters, rhinoceroses, camels, and armadillos are just a few of the exotic animals that unfamiliar audiences are eager to see and learn about.
While large mammals may be more obvious land animals, beetles and other insects are also necessary parts of an ecosystem and scientific study. Illustrators often depict these tiny creatures larger than life in order to emphasize details for closer examination..and provide a creepy-crawly sensation.
While exotic animals can be interesting, more familiar and obviously loved creatures are also scrupulously cataloged. Long before viral videos, few (especially librarians, if you believe the stereotype) could resist looking at cats.
