Urban Animals by Isabel Hill

Before your little girl or boy grows up (sigh...) to be a jaded New Yorker, unlikely to gaze skyward in wonder at building facades, bring home a copy of Urban Animals (Star Bright Books; $18 hardcover, $8 paperback). Park Slope–based photographer Isabel Hill prowled Manhattan and Brooklyn seeking out the beasties that adorn architectural brackets, medallions, keystones and more. Each left-hand page shows a wide view of a building with a colorful cartoon hint as to what creature is found there. The facing page zooms in on one of 17 different critters, among them alligators, rabbits, fish and geese. Toward the back of the book, a handy glossary explains the relevant lingo (what the heck are dentils, anyway?). The final page, titled “Animal Habitats,” details who designed each building and when, and exactly where each structure is located—so you can take your family on an urban safari of your own.—Carolyn Juris

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