Laura Vaccaro Seeger

Lift the flap and black turns to white at the start of this unusual and sophisticated book of opposites. Bold colors and carefully crafted die-cuts reveal a series of unexpected opposites. Readers are sure to delight in the surprise of each page turn.

Three short stories about two friends, a small dachshund, and a teddy bear, are funny, touching, and recognizable. The illustrations have a naïve quality to capture the simplicity and warmth of the friendship and complement the story as told in both narration and the characters' dialog.

A teddy bear and a small dog share a great friendship in these three satisfying short tales. Young listeners and new readers will appreciate the gentle humor and vivid, boldly outlined illustrations in this latest Dog and Bear installment.

Even the best of friends sometimes have problems they must work out. And it's true for Dog and Bear, the best friends who can get angry but get over it. Simply crafted illustrations are the perfect complement to the uncomplicated text.

"First the egg" and then — with a page turn, readers see the previously concealed chicken. Later in the book words and paint become a story and a picture. Seemingly diverse, all objects are cleverly brought together in a final image. Finely designed, expertly crafted, this intriguing book uses die cuts on sturdy pages for a rich visual experience ideal for multiple readings.

Textured illustrations cleverly incorporate die-cuts exploring the many shades of green. Language is as inspired as the textured paintings, subtly suggesting an environmental note. The book concludes with "forever green" in which a man and a child admire a large, lush tree, presumably from a seedling planted earlier.

Lemons are not red but apples are. With each page turn, patterned, repeating language and surprising pairings of colors and objects emerge through cleverly conceived die cuts until the black night and silver moon become a "good night."

Beginning with "one boy," words and pictures transform with a page turn revealing words within words and related scenes. Cleverly hidden, images and words make this seemingly simple book quite sophisticated. Once readers figure out how everything relates, they will surely examine the book all over again!