Twice-folded illustrations hide multiple surprises in this very simple animal-themed search.
Each recto opens out not once, but twice to reveal three separate scenes of animals with their young. Thanks to some clever use of shapes and colors in the folded illustrations, opening each flap works a magical-seeming transformation into a larger picture of an entirely different animal family. Thus a lion’s shaggy mane in one scene suddenly becomes the back half of a hedgehog in the next and then, lifting the last flap, most of an orangutan. Likewise, the inner curve of a shark’s mouth turns into the tip of a toucan’s beak and, when fully opened, a fox’s long tail. Dappled illustrations depict more or less realistic-looking animals, with the exception of genial smiles. The text—being the titular question followed by variations on “We don’t know!” and finally “She’s with her mommy!”—is really just along for the ride. The art is printed on sturdy stock, so the creases will survive plenty of the back-and-forth flexing they’re sure to receive.
An interactive thrill ride for young fans of now-you-see-it, now-you-don’t.
(Picture book/novelty. 2-4)