Broken: An Irreverent Picture Book About Animals in Casts by Pieter van den HeuvelArthaus

Broken is a darkly comic picture book, featuring animals with injuries to their most significant features, by Pieter van den Heuvel. The irreverent, rhyming story and cute illustrations are probably more suited for adults than young children — thanks to some of its more grim and racy moments. However, I found most of the book mirthful and amusing. “There’s just something sad and beautiful about animals with casts,” the author says.

Thomas the giraffe has broken his neck - Broken - Picture Book by Pieter van den Heuvel

Pollie the teckel has broken her back - Broken - Picture Book by Pieter van den Heuvel

Vincent the ostrich has broken his wing - Broken - Picture Book by Pieter van den Heuvel

Bruno the bull has broken his thing - Broken - Picture Book by Pieter van den Heuvel

Eddie the elephant has broken his trunk - Broken - Picture Book by Pieter van den Heuvel

Pablo the polecat is one broken skunk - Broken - Picture Book by Pieter van den Heuvel

Nico the alligator has broken his jaw - Broken - Picture Book by Pieter van den Heuvel

Simon the bear has broken the law - Broken - Picture Book by Pieter van den Heuvel

Timo the walrus has broken his tooth - Broken - Picture Book by Pieter van den Heuvel

Thijs the T Rex has broken his foot - Broken - Picture Book by Pieter van den Heuvel

Wally the snail was broken apart - Broken - Picture Book by Pieter van den Heuvel

And Susan the human has broken her heart - Broken - Picture Book by Pieter van den Heuvel

Tom McMeekin

Tom is a writer, artist, and multi-media guru from Pennsylvania, U.S. He holds a Master's in Journalism and Mass Communication, but he has also taken several university-level courses in fine arts, art appreciation, graphic design, printmaking, and Asian art. He has been blogging for Monde Mosaic since February 2014.