One Blue Fish: A Colorful Counting Book

by Charles Reasoner

Summary: Lift shaped flaps to reveal one blue fish, two white swans, and so forth, introducing readers to counting and colors using pond critters.

This is a neat picture book for preschool age children. The text is simple, but the flaps make it fun to learn how to count.

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

The Game of Mix-up Art

by Hervé Tullet

Summary: Presents colorful paintings on split pages to allow young readers to mix up the pictures to make new artistic creations.

This book contains pages that are cut. Hence, the illustrations on each page can be changed when parts of the pages are turned. I did not especially care for this book, but I suppose it may be valuable in developing an interest of books in young children.

Interest Level: birth-age 4

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

In My Den

In My Den

by Sara Gillingham

Summary: What makes little bear's den so cozy? Is it little bear's warm earth and fluffy bed of leaves? Turn the colorful die-cut pages of this irresistible board book to discover just what makes little bear's den so cozy.

This board book’s text is mediocre, but the adorable bear finger puppet attached to the book is fantastic. The puppet can be used throughout the book because of a large hole in each page. This book is engaging for very young children and especially wonderful for children who are not interested in traditional books.

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

Slide ‘N’ Seek Colors by Chuck Murphy

This book contains one color on each page with the name of the color. A reader or listener can “slide” out a piece which has a picture of an item that color with the name.

I recommend this book for children ages 2-5. This book can be interactive one-one-one read by asking a child what color is shown and what things are that color. Then, they can slide out a piece and see what else is that color. It’s also can be a “peek-a-boo” type game or guessing what will be shown.

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

There Are No Cats in This Book!

There Are No Cats in This Book!

by Viviane Schwarz

Summary: Filled with the spirit of adventure, three cats pack their suitcases and try to escape from their book.

This is a fun book. It is appropriate to read to a young class or reluctant readers to get them involved in a story.

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

Animals Slide and Find

Animals Slide and Find

by Bright Baby

Summary: Young readers can slide back panels to match animals with their close-up pictures, colors, babies, and names.

This is a wonderful, interactive book best suited for very young children.

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

Pig-a-boo: A Farmyard Peekaboo Book

Pig-a-boo: A Farmyard Peekaboo Book

by Dorothea DePrisco

Summary: Farm animals play a game of peek-a-boo in this hilarious book with flaps and touch-and-feel elements.

This is a wonderful, interactive book best suited for very young children. In order to make things more interesting for young children, parents can play games such as peek-a-boo or look-and-find as they read the book.

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

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 Heads

Heads

by Matthew Van Fleet

Summary: A cast of irresistible critters use their heads!
This book is spectacular! This popup book is wonderful for engaging very young readers. Though be forewarned, there are gross parts!

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

Note: popup, toy book, touch and feel, toddlers, babies, preschool

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

Worms For Lunch?

by Leonid Gore

Summary: Easy-to-read text and die-cut illustrations allow various creatures to reveal what they like to eat.

This amusing book is great for engaging children. It is appropriate for asking simple prediction questions to young children.

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