I SEE THE WORLD / YO VEO EL MUNDO

Luna’s largely interrogative bilingual title barrages preschoolers with vocabulary in seven plotless two-page spreads.

A meadow scene unfolds with familiar animals like rabbits and lizards, followed by a canopy of treetops filled with leaves, butterflies, birds, etc. In the beige ocean, “Do you see clams, jellyfish, kelp, coral reefs, starfish, feathery flowers, and sea urchins?” A family garage with the usual tools precedes a coastal scene including umbrellas, surfboards, kites and sailboats. On a farm, the author introduces a barn, a rooster and sheep, among other vocabulary. A playground scene (swing, slide, seesaw, monkey bars, bench and house) follows a child’s room (doll, rug, books, etc.) and a lush backyard: “Do you see a pool, bushes, a tree with a swing, a garden hose? Where is the apple tree and the bluebird in a bath?” The final spread reveals a forest at night with assorted nocturnal creatures, the moon, stars and so forth. While the text includes many words, and Song’s collages will inspire children to search for the items, the book would have benefited from simpler versions of both. English precedes the Spanish text, with pertinent words the same color type in both versions. A very limited illustrated glossary (10 entries) follows the text.

A promising premise, marred by too much vocabulary for younger readers.