Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Who's There?
Novelty Board Book
For ages 2 to 5
Chronicle Books, 2015 ISBN: 978-1452140148
Children love little mysteries that they can solve. They love seeking out things that are hidden, and trying to guess what hidden things are. In short, they love surprises, which is why presents wrapped in paper are so popular with the young. It is also why books with tabs to pull and flaps to lift are so beloved by children because these features allow them to experience surprises again and again.
In this book Alain Crozon presents children with ten pictures of objects and characters, and on every single page there is at least one flap to lift so that they can find out what is hidden beneath. Children are presented with a question, which they can answer. Then, they can lift the flap (or flaps) to find out if their answer was the correct one.
For example, on the very first page we are presented with a blue egg and we can see that it is cracking open. We are asked “Who is hatching out of that blue egg?” and when we open the egg we discover that there is a little baby turtle inside. Later on in the book we see a fish and we are asked “What is inside that fearless fish?” When we lift the flap we are shocked to discover that there is a fish hook inside the fish’s belly.
Some of the hidden objects in this book are what one would expect to find under the circumstances, but others are going to give young readers a delightful surprise.
