A story of noticing, understanding & care

What the Animals
Never Told Me

A Collaborative Project By Sunny Xiong & Isabel Liu

A little guide to listening more closely to the lives around us — and learning when the kindest thing to do is to pause, observe, and understand.

↓   Explore the project

The Project

Explore the pages below, from the opening story to practical guides for caring for animals.

Opening illustrated story: an older woman with a cup of tea and a diary in a drawer.
01 · The forgotten diary
An illustrated cozy room where the woman opens her diary.
02 · A familiar world
Illustrated guide to befriending and caring for cats.
03 · Before you befriend a cat
Illustrated underwater guide to setting up a healthy fish tank and caring for fish.
04 · So, you want a fish?
Illustrated guide to observing a young bird and deciding whether it needs help.
05 · Hey, birdie!
Illustrated animal-care facts about shrimp, hamsters, ducklings and insect-eating birds.
06 · Little things that matter
An illustration of a grandmother sharing her diary with a child.
07 · Passing the story on
Hand-lettered closing page: Now It's Your Turn!
08 · Now it's your turn

“Animals are always communicating. We just need to lean in, listen, and make better decisions.”

Thank you for exploring our project.