Hide and Snake - Hardcover

Baker, Keith

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0152339868 ISBN 13: 9780152339869

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1991

Synopsis

A brightly colored snake challenges readers to a game of hide and seek as he hides among familiar objects.

About this title

About the Author

Keith Baker has written and illustrated many well-loved picture books and early chapter books, including several about the charming and lovable Mr. and Mrs. Green. Two of his best-known picture books, Hide and Snake and Who Is the Beast?, are about animals. He lives in Seattle, Washington.

Reviews

PreSchool-Grade 1-- Using the same vibrant acrylics and meticulous designs found in Magic Fan (1989) and Who Is the Beast? (1990, both HBJ), Baker creates a visual game of hide and seek featuring a rainbow-striped reptile. The playful snake slithers through colorful assortments of yarn, hats, cats, cakes, clocks, socks, baskets, shoe laces , and "many places." Readers are invited to trace the creature's movements through its mosaic adventure--a challenging task since its multichromatic appearance allows it to blend in with the decorative surroundings. A simple rhyming text announces the reptile's destinations. Each new site is portrayed in a bright, boldly outlined double-page spread. Thematically, this title isn't as ambitious or weighty as the artist's earlier efforts, but it is no less successful or delightful. A great choice for those children wanting a little interactive play with their books. --Heide Piehler, Shorewood Public Library, WI
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

A vibrantly striped snake plays hide-and-seek in an array of imaginative locations. He starts off ("Ready or not--here I go!") easily concealing himself among mittens and balls of yarn, then around elaborate hats, a pile of lavishly wrapped presents and napping cats. The spare but engaging verse relates this crafty creature's continueing journey: "I'm frosting the cakes, / ticking with clocks, / melting in ice cream, / and sliding through socks." The socks present perhaps the greatest test to the reader, but generally the same thing gives the elusive reptile away throughout: one round eyeball and a smug smile. In the end, he tricks even the most astute snake-finder with his garden hose ploy. Though simple in concept, this book provides a diverting, entertaining challenge that youngsters will relish. Baker's ( The Magic Fan ) elaborate acrylic designs, variety of lush hues and sly wit provide a feast for the eyes while maintaining the cohesive personality of the book from page to page. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Hidden among other patterns as repetitive and brightly colored as his own variegated stripes, a snake challenges readers to discover him in one picture after another: ``I'm playing with toys/twisting `round vases,/weaving through baskets,/and tangling with laces.'' The text doesn't add much here, but Baker's bold, handsomely stylized art is sure to amuse with its many clever pseudo-snakes and intriguing camouflages of the real one. (Picture book. 3-8) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Edition details

• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
• Publication date: 1991
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0152339868
• ISBN 13: 9780152339869
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 34