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CM . . . .
Volume V Number 20 . . . . June 4, 1999
excerpt: An oink, a moo, 
Who among us has not at one time or another played peek-a-boo with a young
child whose face lit up with renewed surprise each time we pulled our
hands away from in front of our eyes? Now that delight of play can be
connected to the joy which can be found in books. Seven of this brief
book's pages are largely filled by the head-and-shoulders of an animal
rendered in a bright cartoon style, its face covered by its "arms." The
text, which reads, "Guess who? Peek-a-", can only be completed by lifting
the covering "arm" flap and revealing the animal's face and the rest of
the text. In addition to the illustration's providing the "surprise" of
allowing the child to see the animal's face, the text does not follow the
anticipated "boo" pattern. Instead, the "answer" to the "Guess who?"
question is completed by the sound the animal makes (moo!) and the name of
the animal (says the COW) in case the child has not previously
encountered it. In this fashion, children play peek-a-boo with a cow,
pig, mouse, owl, rooster, sheep, and duck. The book concludes with a
cartoon child who invites the young "reader" to become part of the game.
Until the fold-down flaps become "loose" from repeated use, they will provide a challenge to young fingers which are not yet capable of the small motor movements necessary to lift them. Given that learning the specific "gender names" of animals is a second level in vocabulary development, do not be surprised if children, upon seeing the rooster, say "cluck-cluck! Says the chicken" rather that "cock-a-doodle-do! Says the rooster." A home or nursery school purchase. Recommended. Dave Jenkinson, who teaches courses in children's and YA literature in the Faculty of Education, University of Manitoba, is an excellent peek-a-boo player.
To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.
Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association.
Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice
is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without
permission.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - JUNE 4,
1999.
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