The Hidden Alphabet

by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

Summary: An alphabet book in which windows open to reveal the letters hidden within each picture

This is a unique alphabet book. Lifting the flaps makes the book exciting for active listeners.

Interest Level: ages 2-4
Reading Level: grade 1

What Am I? Halloween

by Anne Margaret Lewis

Summary: A rhyming text provides clues for the various Halloween themed pictures hidden under the flaps.

This is a terrific interactive book. The illustrations under the flaps have parts of the pictures sticking out on the page before; this makes it easier for little ones to guess what the picture is.

Interest Level: ages 2-4
Reading Level: grade 2

What's in the Witch's Kitchen?

by Nick Sharratt

Summary: The contents of the witch's kitchen are hidden by flaps that can be opened either to the left or right to reveal pop-up illustrations of either a delight or a nasty fright.

This is a really fun book and is great for celebrating Halloween. The story is fabulous for young children with a silly sense of humor or children who enjoy gross things.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 2

Goodnight Owl

by DwellStudio

Summary: Simple text invites the reader to look under lift-up flaps to find various creatures as they go to sleep at night in the forest.

This is an adorable bedtime story for young children. Children can be actively involved in the book by lifting the flaps and finding what is hidden beneath. The story ends with a very cute surprise.

Interest Level: birth-age 4
Reading Level: grade 1

Wake Up! Wake Up!

by Nancy Davis

Summary: When a little ladybug awakens from its long sleep and discovers that it is spring, it goes about waking all the other sleeping animals.

This fun book is excellent for print motivation in young children. Children may lift flaps in the book that reveal sleeping animals. Additionally, there are few words on each page making it ideal for young children

Interest Level: ages 2-4
Reading Level: grade 1

Spot It Again!

by Delphine Chedru

Summary: Young readers are invited to find a variety of creatures hidden in colorful patterns that include cutouts and liftable flaps.

This book has simple text and fantastic illustrations. It has people of all ages challenging their eyes and mind to find the hidden animals! The book is great for engaging readers in a one on one setting. I recommend Spot It Again! to reluctant readers hoping that it will spark their interest in books.

Interest Level: ages 2- grade 3
Reading Level: grade 3

While You Are Sleeping:

A Lift-the-flap Book of Time Around the World

by Durga Bernhard

Describes how the Earth's rotation results in different time zones and activities around the globe, with children sleeping in one part of the world while others may be walking home or climbing a tree, with some activities hidden under flaps.

This is a book with spectacular illustrations. It is great for reading before bed. There is a clock on each page, making it appropriate to use with children who are learning to tell time. The best use of this book is to discuss time zones. Also, it can be incorporated into this summer’s national reading theme “One World Many Stories.”

Interest Level: ages 2- grade 3

Reading Level: grade 4

One Boy

One Boy

 by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

Summary: A boy creates ten paintings in this counting book that also explores the relationship of words within words.

This neat book was awarded the prestigious American Library AssoALA Theodor Seuss Geisel Award and is great for reluctant readers. Each page has a cutout in which you can see the picture on the next page. On the next page, there is a cutout that reveals text on the previous page to create a different word or part of a different word.

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades k-3
Reading Level: grade 1

The Legend of the Golden Snail

The Legend of the Golden Snail

by Graeme Base

Summary: Wilbur loves the legend of the Golden Snail, an enchanted galleon, and vows to become its next master.

This is a lengthy picture book. The vibrant illustrations in this book may help to hold younger readers’ attention. I recommend it to those who enjoy strange nautical adventures such as The Pirates of the Caribbean.

Interest Level: grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 3

Librarianjk recommends Alphabeasties and Other Amazing Types

Alphabeasties and Other Amazing Types

by Sharon Werner

Summary: An illustrated alphabet book for early readers that composes images of animals using only the first letter of its name.

This is an unusual alphabet book. Each page has a letter shown in different ways. This book may be a tool for teaching students who are confused by, or have trouble reading, different fonts.

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 3

Librarianjk recommends Ooh La La Polka-Dots Books

Ooh La La Polka-Dot Boots

by Ellen Olson-Brown

Summary: Illustrations and brief rhyming text sing the praises of polka dot boots, which add panache to any outfit.

This is a cute book that is great for the very young. There are very few words on the pages. The children in most of the illustrations are shoeless until a flap is turned which exposes boots. This book is excellent for predicting what will happen next. If you have a young child who does not especially like to stay still, try this great interactive book!

Interest Level: infants, ages 2-4
Reading Level: grade 1

Librarianjk recommends In the Garden

In the Garden

Summary: Young readers can lift flaps to find out where such animals as butterflies, ladybugs, snails, and frogs are hiding in a garden.

This book is very cute. It is appropriate for pre-school age students and younger. There are very few words in this book. You can play a guessing or peek-a-boo type of game with a young child. It is fun for the child to lift the flaps, but be prepared that it may rip after long-term use. This is a series of board books where the pages are very thick like cardboard.

Interest Level: infants, ages 2-4, grades k-3
Reading Level: grade 2