GUESS WHO'S MY PET

A board book with fold-out pages introduces some common pets.

Each section opens with a simple description of a pet, followed by a sound or action characteristic of the animal; then the animal is revealed. Just five easily recognizable animals—a cat, a dog, a rabbit, a fish, and a bird—are included. As depicted, the animals are more two-dimensional stuffed animals than living creatures. All have the same smile and large black eyes. Rather than simple page turns, the designer created fold-out pages that unfold first up and then over to create the large image of each animal, so each 6-inch-square page becomes a 12-inch-square image. There is no element of surprise here. Visual clues hint at the answer on each page, so all but the youngest children will have guessed the animal before the full image is revealed. Unfortunately, babies and toddlers just learning how books work will be confused by this design. Plus, the pages will bend quickly, and the folds will make convenient tear lines for little fingers eager to rip pages. Little ones who might find the simple text and cheery animals appealing won't have the patience or dexterity to unfold the pages, while older children who can manipulate the pages won't find enough here to hold their attention.

Leave this board book folded up on the bookstore shelf.