Up Close
PreS-In this inventive board book, colorful, abstract illustrations invite young listeners to participate in a guessing game. The leading spread shows an animal's predominant features "up close," e.g., the frog's mouth, the pig's snout. At each page turn, the creature's body and name are revealed. The title concludes with a representation of a lion, not highlighted for its mane or teeth, but for its roar. The text is economical, and the images are creative and original. Because of the format, the book's main audience will be babies and/or toddlers, but the abstract art can be appreciated by older preschoolers who, on repeated readings, will remember the animals and delight in the boisterous ending. Recommended with extra enthusiasm for its ingenuity and high-quality art.-Maralita L. Freeny, District of Columbia Public Libraryα(c) Copyright 2013.  Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc.  No redistribution permitted.