I'm trying to find out the name of (and a place that sells it if
possible) a great picture book I remember from some years ago (approx.
10 to 15 years). It was similar in style to a "where's waldo" book
wherein the whole point of the book was to find specific items in the
pictures, only it was higher in quality and sophistication. I would
almost go as far as to say it was directed at adults. I remember that
the book came with a checklist of all the "items" that could be found
in each picture.

 I also remember that each picture only had things starting with a
particular letter, ie there was one picture for "items" starting with
the letter "A", another for "items" starting with "B", and so on. I
remember having to consult a dictionary at times to find out what the
things were before I could find them, definitely not a "kids" book.

I believe you're remembering "Animalia," a remarkable book written and
illustrated by Graeme Base. In the last decade, I must have bought a
dozen copies of this book to give to friends and relatives. Even after
years of familiarity with "Animalia," I can still find fascinating
things in the illustrations that I didn't notice before.

"Graeme Base is perhaps best known for his picture book 'Animalia'
that, on the surface, was a simple 'Alphabet Book' for Children. Each
page showed a different letter of the Alphabet with animals and
objects all beginning with that letter. What set it apart from a crowd
of similar books was the incredible depth of each picture. A child, or
even adult, could spend a lot of entertaining time finding things
hidden in the background. Beautifully detailed pictures became his
trademark."

BBC: Graeme Base - Artist and Author
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/alabaster/A683318

"Graeme Base's astonishingly creative oeuvre begins with Animalia, the
1993 alphabet book that challenges the standard idea of how long
reading a book for small kids ought to take. Animalia, like many of
Base's books, is a vast puzzle, built with entrancing pictures that
unfold into layers and layers of objects--all matched to each page's
corresponding letter. Base leaves us stunned and amazed, painting
reflections into the oddest surfaces and driving the urge to
page-turn."

Amazon: Animalia by Graeme Base
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0810918684

"Animalia is an alphabet book like no other! Abounding with fanciful,
gorgeously detailed art, Animalia is an alphabet book, a guessing
game, and a visual feast for the eyes. Each page features one letter
and images related to that letter- as well as a hidden picture of
author Graeme Base as a child."

KidSurplus: "Animalia" by Graeme Base
http://www.kidsurplus.com/flb0-14-055996-5.html

If you'd like to buy a copy of "Animalia," here are some price comparison searches:

Addall: Animalia by Graeme Base (Hardcover)
http://www3.addall.com/New/compare.cgi?dispCurr=USD&id=871227&isbn=0810919397#price

Addall: Animalia by Graeme Base (Paperback)
http://www3.addall.com/New/compare.cgi?dispCurr=USD&id=871235&isbn=0140559965#price

Google search strategy:

Google Web Search: "graeme base" animalia
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22graeme+base%22+animalia

I hope I've identified your book correctly. If not, or if anything is
unclear or incomplete, please request clarification; I'll be glad to
offer further assistance before you rate my answer.

Best regards,
pinkfreud

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Clarification of Answer by pinkfreud-ga on 16 Dec 2004 03:52 PST

If, as the commenter suggests below, your book is "The Ultimate
Alphabet," by Mike Wilks, here's a price comparison search for that
title:

Addall: The Ultimate Alphabet
http://www3.addall.com/New/compare.cgi?dispCurr=USD&id=871460&isbn=0805025162#price

To help you decide which book is the one you remember, here are images
showing the covers art of each:

"Animalia"
http://www.mjucker.ch/katalog/animalia.jpg

"The Ultimate Alphabet"
http://www.vermillionskies.com/covers/covers3/wilks_alphabet.jpg

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Request for Answer Clarification by numinous-ga on 16 Dec 2004 11:34 PST

Definitely not Animalia. I am familiar with Greame Base's work ("The
Eleventh Hour" being an all time fave) and Animalia is aimed at
children. The book I'm looking for is more "adult oriented".

The Ultimate Alphabet looks like it is most likely what I'm looking
for though. Any images of the inside pages of the book would help in
identification, but either way I think that that is the one.

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Clarification of Answer by pinkfreud-ga on 16 Dec 2004 11:39 PST

I'll see if I can find any images from inside "The Ultimate Alphabet,"
and I'll get back to you.

~pinkfreud

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Clarification of Answer by pinkfreud-ga on 16 Dec 2004 11:48 PST

Here's Mike Wilks' art for the Letter A:

http://www.bogle-dw.freeserve.co.uk/arua01.htm

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Clarification of Answer by pinkfreud-ga on 16 Dec 2004 11:51 PST

Regarding the "Letter A" image linked above:

"This page has 360 things beginning with A.  How many can you get? 
Note that in addition to objects, you can also count concepts:  that
is, a red-faced man waving his fists might represent anger."

http://www.bogle-dw.freeserve.co.uk/arua00.htm

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Clarification of Answer by pinkfreud-ga on 16 Dec 2004 12:05 PST

Here are some more of Mike Wilks' surreal illustrations:

http://www.ba-reps.com/portfolio.cfm?n=135

The pictures helped identify "The Ultimate Alphabet" as definitely
being the book I remembered. Thanks to Lostpost for identifying it.
Thanks Pinkfreud for trying and for finding the pictures.

This sounds like "The Ultimate Alphabet" by Mike Wilks, published in
1986, which would place it at about the right time.
This is definitely a book for adults, and comes with a workbook
listing all the items to find on each page.

Amazon have it at:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0805001603