TEN PLAY HIDE-AND-SEEK

Bedtime turns into a gleeful game of hide-and-seek in this romp from Dale (Ten Out of Bed, 1994). All settled in but not quite settled down, a boy suggests one final game be played before bed. His nine stuffed companions cooperate with alacrity and hide while “little one” counts to ten. Then the fun begins as bedroom and kitchen are diligently searched for those hiding. With loud exclamations of “BOO!” every time someone is found, the child locates each friend and enlists its help for the rest of the hunt. Dale’s softly colored, intricate illustrations provide subtle clues to the animals’ hiding places, offering children the opportunity to search along with the boy. When even the tiniest of the friends has been found, each animal is tucked in with a tender good-night. This gently reassuring tale is ideal for reading aloud, sending sleepyheads off with a little merriment and a lot of care. (Picture book. 2-5)