ALMOST EVERYTHING

This outsized companion to Zoo-ology (2003) follows the same format, presenting hundreds of thick-lined, accurately drawn figures, buildings and objects neatly packed together on a series of poster-like topical spreads. Linking with the previous title, Jolivet gives “Animals” an entry, but moves well beyond with pages devoted to “Tools,” “Buildings,” “Construction Equipment,” “Fruits and Vegetables,” “Musical Instruments,” “Houses” and so on; each item has an inconspicuous label, supplemented by a later fact or two in a closing appendix. The spread of “Historical Costumes” shows a Eurocentric bias—particularly as it’s followed by an array of “Costumes of the World” that could be more accurately labeled “Costumes of the Third World”—and some frank views of the “Human Body” will discomfit unwary adult viewers; still, children can look forward to hours of discovery from this splendid visual resource. (Picture book. 5-9)