Amanda Leslie

I used this for a baby storytime, but while it was only all right for babies it would be awesome for a toddler or even (because of the guessing element) a preschool storytime. The book design is different than a traditional picture book in that you have a page and then a half page that sets up the riddle. When you turn the half page, the words of the riddle disappear and the illustration of the answer (which had been peeking out from the edges of the riddle) fills in to cover the whole spread. The illustrations are perfect for toddlers with just the single animal delineated in thick black outlines and then filled in with solid, saturated colors that constrasts strongly with the bright full bleed background colors. The only text on the full illustrations is the name of the animal in multi-colored block letters and the animal sound that had been peeking out as a clue to the riddle all along. The riddles themselves are eminently appropriate for the age group, particularly with the illustrative help. Using the dog as an example - over half the dog's face and his tail are sticking out from either side of the riddle which reads,"Who has a waggy yellow tail and a sticky licky tongue?" and includes a simple "woof!" on the sidelines as well. While it's not likely to win any awards, this could easily become one of my storytime favorites.

Used for Animal Fun baby storytime 2/25/11.… (plus d'informations)