Early Book Review: Armor & Animals by Liz Yohlin Baill

Armor & Animals by Liz Yohlin Baill is a children's nonfiction book currently scheduled for release on February 23 2021. What do knights in shining armor have to do with slimy snails and porcupines? A lot, actually! This book  brings together two things kids love to provide an entryway into the world of art and history. The armor collection at the Philadelphia Museum of Art provides the remarkable helmets, shields, and more that appear in the book. Text is paired with bright, modern graphics and real-life armor informs kids about art and animals in tandem. A rhino crashes into a knight, teaching kids that a group of rhinos is called a crash—so stay out of the way! Dragons may be imaginary, but a fire-breathing dragon etched on armor can still make a horse look extra tough. Kids can consider the helmets, goggles, and other "armor" they use that help make their own activities safer, and connect art to their world as they learn.

Armor & Animals is an interesting and engaging look at how armor and animals compare. I liked seeing how armor mimic some animal's features, and how some armor was made for horses that would be in battle. I thought the text was well done and balanced nicely with the visuals. I liked the images of both armor and animals, and enjoyed the general idea of the book. I liked the focus on the art of the armor, and the intent behind some of the features. I think it will hold the interest of many readers, and maybe inspire further reading on animal defenses or the history and uses of armor.