Flappy, Waggy, Wiggly: A Riddle Book

Simple riddles are combined with colorful pictures of children's favorite animals, such as pigs, dogs, and birds, in a "peekaboo" flap book, where the answers are always only a half-page away.

PreSchool-An appealing entry for the point-and-make-the-animal-noise crowd. The "peekaboo" aspect is provided by a half-page folded into every double-page spread, a sturdier arrangement than the usual lift-the-flap mode. The riddles are written in brightly colored, boldly outlined text. "Who has a waggy yellow tail and a sticky licky tongue?" Even before the half flap is turned, children will recognize the unmistakable muzzle and tail of a large yellow dog, and they will have no problem identifying the crocodile, elephant, duck, pig, snake, and tiger that follow. Leslie's strong design featuring boldly colored backgrounds makes this title ideal for lap-sit storytimes. The fact that the answer to the last question, "Who has ten fiddly fingers ten wiggly toes...," is unlikely to elicit the correct answer ("me!") is no obstacle to the book's enjoyment. Librarians who present programs for this set will cheer the arrival of Flappy Waggy Wiggly.
Sue Sherif, Fairbanks North Star Borough Public Library, AK
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Vibrant, saturated colors and a clever design make this paper-over-board book an engaging and peppy debut. A simple riddle about an animal appears within a colorful block of handwritten text at the center of each spread; the animal's head and tail peek out at either edge, along with the word for the sound it makes. A turn of a half-page gives the answer and completes the picture. The eight riddles progress from the easily identifiable ("Who has a waggy yellow tail and a sticky licky tongue?"/ "woof!"A"dog") to the more challenging ("Who has a long red tongue and a spotty slithery body?"/ "hissss!"A"snake") to readers themselves ("Who has ten fiddly fingers/ ten wiggly toes..."). Leslie's straightforward, playful descriptions and the thickly outlined, friendly-looking characterizations hit the target for youngest riddlers. Ages 2-5. (May)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Pint-sized sleuths use written and visual clues to discover the identities of their quarry in this diverting and ingenious approach to the standard lift-the-flap format. Each spread features a riddle, written in multicolored block letters, superimposed over the image of the animal in question, revealing only a tantalizing glimpse of the creature's front and hind quarters. Additional clues are provided by the particular sound associated with the animal -- perhaps a quack, an oink, or a hiss. A turn of the half page in the center of the spread reveals the full animal and its name overhead. Leslie's riddles offer concrete clues while remaining silly enough to tickle preschoolers' fancies: "Who has a snuffly pink snout and a curly whirly tail?" Vivid backgrounds, generous use of colors, and amiable creatures contribute to this gleeful tour of the animal kingdom. (Picture book. 2-5) -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Here's something to spark up story hours. This "peekaboo riddle" book lets little ones guess what animals are hiding under the flaps of text. The riddles are just right for the age group: "Who has a waggy yellow tail and a stick licky tongue?" The tip of a tail and bit of doggy face will have little ones shouting out the answer. This works very well artistically, too. Leslie has taken care to shape her artwork and design to the audience. Pure colors and deceptively simple-shaped animals outlined boldly in black will hold young eyes. Children may have the most fun answering the very last question: "Who has ten fiddly fingers ten wiggly toes and makes all these noises?" (Oink, woof, quack, etc.) The flap reveals a boisterous little boy having as much fun as listeners will. Ilene Cooper