CUCKOO CAN’T FIND YOU

The reader is bidden to join along as Cuckoo and his friends try to find the things they are seeking in this splendid hidden-picture odyssey. “Bear can’t find his pear,” but the careful observer will find it camouflaged in his fur. The “Seal can’t find his wheel,” but it can be found smirkily concealed in one of his toys. The task is simply stated in one bold, rhyming sentence per page. The hidden objects, integrated into the scene by texture or shape, range from eye-catchingly easy to subtle enough that a youngster may be challenged to search for awhile. The final page is the Cuckoo looking for you, the reader, and is adorned with a high-quality, large round mirror so the little one sees his or her own face. Also fun to find is the little worm on every page. The artwork is quite wonderful. Each animal is stunningly created in a mixture of mediums (from paints to crayons), cut out, and placed on a white background (think Eric Carle). The textures are luxurious and the colors glow as though they are lit from behind. Siomades’s (This Is the Ocean, not reviewed, etc.) cheerful seek and peek even has festive end papers that showcase all the sought-after objects. This is just the ticket for children not yet ready for the far more intricate I Spy books. (Picture book. 2-5)