PEKE-A-BOO!

Pekingese sisters have an eventful day playing peekaboo and hide-and-seek with a toy ball in this picture book.

Repeating the refrain “Peke-A-Boo! Find my sister too,” black-and-white Sam searches for “creamy tan” Sophie, who has taken and hidden her sister’s special blue ball. Sam is “quite perplexed,” as Sophie continues the hide-and-seek antics throughout the day. She even hides Sam’s ball when they visit the veterinarian’s office, the dog park, and the groomers. Sam grows weary and frustrated with her sister’s mischief. By bedtime, she “lets Sophie win.” But Sophie is “too tired to hide the ball again.” The dogs snuggle, with the ball between them as they fall asleep. Zambrana’s text offers varying points of view, including Sam’s perspective (“Find my sister”; “My favorite toy is a blue ball”) and narration in the third person (“Help Sam find Sophie”; “Before Sam can get out of bed, Sophie has taken the ball”). This technique may confuse some readers. But the playful, interactive elements encouraging readers to follow along and “help Sam find Sophie and her blue ball before the story is done” will appeal to fans of fun animal tales. Reminiscent of animated cartoons, Zimanski’s endearing illustrations feature cheerful, saturated hues and expressive characters. Some scenes show clues. For instance, as Sam seeks Sophie, readers can spot the pooch hiding in the background, including in a doghouse and behind a couch.

An entertaining canine tale about lighthearted sibling rivalry.