WHO HID IT?

One of the first two (1977) books, never before published here, of a Japanese illustrator noted for his bold simplicity and striking designs, this seven-inch square book not only challenges children to find objects cleverly concealed in the pictures but is also a counting book. ""Who hid the candles?"" They serve as horns on one of five giraffes; ""who hid the fork and spoon?"" They dangle from the pigtails of one of 12 children. In the same format, the second book, Who Ate It?, is equally attractive, but ""ate"" is not the mot juste: the different foods are hidden on the outsides of the animals. A fine, economical purchase for the youngest.