EXPLORE THE MEADOW

Age-appropriate science in an appealing pop-up format.

This book conveys a surprising amount of information through clear and easily digested statements and clever, eye-catching pop-up designs. The book is presented in a series of two-page tableaux organized by topic: “Little Life Forms,” “Caterpillars/Butterflies,” “Frogs,” “Spiders,” “Bees,” “Creepy Crawlies,” “Ants,” and “At Night.” The artwork is representational rather than realistic, with the various bugs, frogs, and other creatures mildly anthropomorphized, with big, happy faces and friendly smiles. The three-dimensional pop-up aspect of the book is a key central feature, adding greatly to the fun. A tree in the middle of the first spread pops out at readers; within holes at its midsection and by the roots they see a sleeping owl and a baby mole, respectively. A bird feeds its young in their nest upon one branch; on another, bees buzz busily at their (inaccurately represented) hive. Elsewhere, a spider swings down on its web from a tree limb, or a beetle scuttles out from beneath a log. All of the pop-ups are cleverly executed, adding dimension and motion without ever requiring kids to pull a single tab—which should greatly increase the life expectancy of the book. Even the text teems with life, at times floating in the breeze, drifting in the water, or following the contours of a crawling caterpillar. Companion title Explore the Shore follows the same format to explore a coastal ecosystem.

From amphibians to earthworms, there’s plenty here to foster an interest in the natural world.