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Kunal Kundu is an award-winning visual artist who likes to experiment with various styles. He first discovered his signature style in crumpled paper art sculptures when his son, barely a year old, was playing with waste paper sheets. Kunal creates his art by first shaping paper and then later superimposing them on digital environments, describing the process like gesture drawing as a paper sculpture. He lives in Kolkata, India.
The unique illustrations in this book make it a stand out. Each dramatic 2-page spread features a cutout of the animal sculpted from crumpled paper and photographed in a digital environment in Kundu's own signature style that he describes as 'gesture drawing as a paper sculpture.' The effect is a stunning three-dimensional work of art that will captivate children and adults alike. Wildlife on Paper is a treasured keepsake for conservationists and just plain animal lovers. * <b>Peggy Tibbetts, Advice from a Caterpillar reviews</b> * Sure to be a favorite for kids and adults alike, Wildlife on Paper opens the world wide as you marvel at the gorgeous crumpled paper art journey through the ocean, forest, desert, and more to learn about the diversity of animals and their incredible characteristics. . . Beautifully illustrated throughout, fun and informative. * <b>Children's Bookwatch</b> * Kundu offers a noteworthy introduction to unusual and often-endangered wildlife. The illustrations, which feature crumpled paper art and digital backgrounds, glow with light and seem more three dimensional than is possible on a page... Each page spotlights one animal and provides a few compelling facts. A map showing the locations of each of the animals and a thorough bibliography are included. Kundu provides a work that is valuable as a picture book and as a resource about rare animal life. VERDICT This vibrant work examines 16 unique and endangered animals. Recommended both for its unconventional visual treatment and the fascinating information that complements the illustrations. * <b>School Library Journal</b> * While there are plenty of picture books introducing readers to endangered animals, the illustrations in this one make it stand out. Author/illustrator Kundu uses crumpled paper to form the animals and then places them within digital environments and photographs the whole. The results-such as an eastern imperial eagle that soars through amber skies and a bulky polar bear on a floe-are striking. * <b>Kirkus Reviews</b> * This is for all animal lovers and budding conservationists, especially for those in elementary school grades 1-5. A great introduction to these animals to lead into doing further research. * <b>Youth Services Book Review</b> * Stunningly beautiful, unique and IMPORTANT book! * <b>Sy Montgomery, author <i>Soul of an Octopus</i></b> * I chose Wildlife on Paper and Kunal Kundu as a planet protector because of what this self-taught artist is doing to bring awareness around the world about endangered species... The stunning result and implications are clear: if we don't act now, animals-from polar bears to elephants-will only be seen by future kids in museums or on paper. (From guest blog: 10 Picture Books on People Protecting the Planet on pragmaticmom.com) * <b>Sandra Neil Wallace, award-winning author and advocate for change.</b> * Motivate future wildlife conservationists through this series of striking images depicting endangered and at-risk species from around the world. It's a stunning visual blend of art, nature, and zoological facts, with northern white rhinos, snow leopards, and vaquitas sculpted from paper using an original crumpling technique created by author and illustrator Kunal Kundu. Shown in dramatic light and color and at home in their jungles, mountains, and oceans, each animal is introduced with an accompanying informative note. * <b>Foreword Reviews</b> * GORGEOUS!!! I was enthralled by the breathtakingly unusual and original art and facts presented about the animals. I've never seen anything like this, and I love it! * <b>Sy Montgomery, naturalist and author, <i>The Soul of an Octopus</i></b> * The artwork blew me away! It is totally unique and amazing. Kunal Kundu cleverly includes a wondrous set of diverse animals; each two page spread is devoted to one animal with a brief yet informative text about the animal accompanied by a portrayal of that animal in his unique style of paper art. This book will definitely excite and inspire young readers to learn more about these endangered animals as well as to try out their hand at paper sculpture or similar crafts. I know I want to!! A cool addition to libraries; especially for young art and wildlife enthusiasts. * <b>ladyinreadwrites.com</b> * What an incredible artform and book! * <b>Kevin Richardson, The Lion Whisperer</b> *
