FOREST

Little ones learn about some forest-animal families in this lift-the-flap board book.

Introducing four animals that can be found in a North American forest, the book teaches young readers that there’s more to identifying them than just naming the animal species. For example: “A mommy fox is called a vixen. A daddy fox is called a dog. Baby foxes are called… / kits!” Double-page spreads introduce each one of the four animals: foxes, deer, rabbits, and bears. The “mommy” is on one side, the “daddy” on the other; lift the shaped right-hand flap, and the baby information is revealed. A striking gatefold ending reveals there is even more to learn: “There are also names for animal families. Groups of these animals are called… / a skulk of foxes.” The screen-printed illustrations use plenty of eye-catching neon pink for a very attractive effect. Companion book Safari introduces four African animals: leopards, zebras, lions, and rhinos. The format and sentence structure is the same as in Forest, though here the color playing the lead role is a warm and glowing yellow with an equally attractive effect. Limiting the books to just four animals each makes them very accessible to the youngest readers; the more verbal preschoolers might take a step further and find themselves asking if the same also applies to other species.

Attractive, interactive, and informative. A winner all around.