PETS GO POP!
by Bob Staake & illustrated by Bob Staake
Two per spread, a cavalcade of pets runs, romps and plays. Two-word phrases contained within colored dots (which echo the multicolored, perfectly round faces of the children) describe the animals with varying degrees of success: A tiger is a “speedy pet,” a giraffe (predictably), a “tall pet.” One spread features a little girl being walked by three dogs, one of which is a “yappy pet,” while a rhino in an airplane soars above as a “fly pet.” There’s little narrative at work here, with no real connection from scene to scene, but somehow they all end up on a school bus. Staake’s flat planes and bright colors are playful, but the depthless perspectives and busy backgrounds can’t show off the tableaux the way they ought to. A little too much style, not enough substance. (Pop-up/picture book. 2-5)