Happy Birthday, One-Year Old: WILDLIFE ON PAPER Plus Giveaway

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Have you ever heard of this book? Part of me hopes you are saying no…because then you can run right out and request a copy from your local indie bookstore or tell your local library to put it on their shelves. I hadn’t heard of it either. But it’s truly one of the most uniquely beautiful books I’ve ever seen and I am so honored to be singing a Happy One-Year Birthday to WILDLIFE ON PAPER: Animals at Risk Around the Globe by the exceptionally talented artist and illustrator, Kunal Kundu.

Written and illustrated by Kunal Kundu – Published by West Margin Press – Sept 22, 2020

Here is a bit from Amazon:
Introducing the magnificent crumpled paper art by debut author Kunal Kundu, Wildlife on Paper brings to life animal species at risk from all around the world while teaching kids how cool and unique each animal is.

From the Peary caribou in Northwest Canada to the Galapagos Penguin in Ecuador, the Royal Bengal Tiger in India to the Hawksbill Sea Turtle in Australia, this book celebrates the rich diversity of wildlife on almost every continent. Each of the sixteen exquisitely handcrafted paper sculptures come with interesting trivia and facts about where the animal lives and how it survives in its habitat and interacts with nature. Also included is a map of where each creature lives on the globe, plus a list of helpful resources and the author’s favorite nature conservation organizations.

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.

(Please note the artist creates his sculptures sourced from eco-friendly paper companies that plant a tree for every ream of paper sold.)

We are so fortunate because Kunal has shared some of his process with us on the West Margin Press website. Check out this link: https://www.westmarginpress.com/blog/discover-how-this-artist-transforms-trash-into-treasure/

And here’s a short YouTube slide show with music that reveals Kunal’s process.

The book received high praise from major reviewers including this one from School Library Journal:

Gr 1–4—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. Sixteen lesser-known animals are described, such as the Sunda pangolin. The animal, native to Southeast Asia, is critically endangered and is considered the most illegally trafficked mammal in the world. Each page spotlights one animal and provides a few compelling facts. The northern white rhinoceros, a distant relative of the horse, whitens its gray body by applying chalky white soil to its skin. The vaquita, with its large black-ringed eyes and curved lips, is often called “the smiling sea panda.” It lives in the Gulf of California and is the rarest marine animal on earth. 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.—Eva Elisabeth VonAncken, formerly at Trinity-Pawling Sch., Pawling, NY

This is the perfect book for every art class, science class, world history class – and can you imagine the compelling stories kids might write with a page from this book as a writing prompt!

To find out more about Kunal’s work and to connect with him, please follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kunalkunducrumpledpaper/?hl=en

Also, if you love this book as much as I do, please leave a review on Amazon. I just did!

A huge thank you to Kunal and also to his publisher, West Margin Press, for the generous giveaway. One lucky person (U.S. addresses only, please) will win a copy of this glorious book. Please leave a comment…and just as importantly, please SHARE this post on your social media channels. Maybe you can tell us what animal you would create with crumpled paper.

I got back home from Chicago on Monday…it was a fabulous visit with family and friends. And it’s going to be a busy week…Perfect Picture Book Friday will feature CHICKEN FRANK DINOSAUR by Shaunda Wenger. Plus on Saturday, Will Write for Cookies turns the spotlight on Karen Greenwald and her debut picture book, A VOTE FOR SUSANNA.

I hope you all have a safe and wonderful week.

Barnes & Noble in Oakbrook Center, IL with Shirin Shamsi, Sherry Fellores, Jenny Wagh, and me


35 thoughts on “Happy Birthday, One-Year Old: WILDLIFE ON PAPER Plus Giveaway”

  2. I have not seen this book until now – it is beautiful! I love cut paper art, but have never seen crumpled paper sculptures. They are so unique! I also love that the sourced paper is eco-friendly. Thank you for sharing!

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Thanks Anita! It would mean a lot to me if you do end up doing a project with your students with my book or art. Look forward to it whenever that happens.

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    • Thanks Patricia. I would LOVE to see the crumpled paper animals if your sister’s Kindergarten does take the suggestion and they end up doing it! Oh, it would be so much fun….

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    • Thanks Mary. I would love to know their reactions…. Teenage, artist/ musician-types sound very critical! You can tell them I used to listen to an eclectic selection of music while making the sculptures, starting from my mother tongue Bengali music to French, Afro beats to classic rock to Soul to gospel and whatever my mood wanted at that moment!

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  16. KUNAL: I am SO IN LOVE with your book and your art! I TRULY ENJOYED reading about how you discovered your own artist’s “voice” through seeing art in crumpled paper. I am often laughed at by friends and family for seeing images in scraps of paper, spills, etc., so I was EXCITED to see how you made art come alive through things others might just throw away without a second glance. I LOVE that your paper is all eco-sourced, and that you have chosen to use your art to help bring awareness to animals in need. I ESPECIALLY LOVE seeing the process of how you brought an orangutan to life through paper. THANK YOU for using your talent to make this world a better place! TRULY BEAUTIFUL!!!

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    • Thank you so much Natalie! Your comment really made me smile…. And cry a little inside! I was so desperate to find my own ‘voice’ as an artist back then that I literally used to lie down the whole day and look up the ceiling for a sign, any sign, until the crumpled paper ball made by my son on the floor of all places guided me!
      So when people ask me how does one find an art style, my answer is: you keep doing what you need to do, the style one day will find you if it’s meant to be!
      Thank you for seeing through my art and speaking your mind here. Truly appreciate it.

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  17. This is absolutely amazing! I am looking at paper a bit differently now. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful post, Vivian, and Kunal, I will definitely be checking out this book! Congrats on a masterpiece!

    Liked by 1 person

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  18. This would make a most excellent arts integration project! I am certainly adding it to my wishlist (if I don’t win the giveaway!) Thank you for sharing this book!

    Liked by 1 person

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