As a child, back in 1981, there was a book at the library that I used to enjoy looking at and even attempted to draw from. [elephant, hippo and bear illustration]

Because it was an expensive and rare book it was stored in the reference section of the library and I wasn’t allowed to check it out. I could only view it at the library. I went back to that library as an adult and found out they no longer have that book, and I nor the library could remember the title or artist of the book.

It was an oversized large hardback book. I only remember the outside of the book being tan in color. Some illustrations were black and white and others were in color; I believe all were of animals.

Any idea of what book this was?