Hide and seek

PreS-Gr 2--Three friends compete to see who is the best at hide-and-seek in Tabor's latest. When Wally Mammoth asks his friend Wolf to play the game, he finds out that hiding can be hard for some animals but easy for others. After spending the day seeking Wolf, Wally gets help from his friend Otto, a bird, and tricks Wolf into giving away his position. It's a story about perseverance, friendship, and cookies, with a clever science-based solution. Young children will relate to the desire to win, be encouraged not to give up or get grumpy when things get hard, and will cheer at the simple yet brilliant conclusion of the game. Sentences are short and lightly repetitive, which will help emerging readers. Illustrations are done with digital watercolor and provide brightly hued definition and contrast to the wintry world. The characters have a friendly animated appearance with good visual emotion. VERDICT A good book for early readers and for encouraging SEL conversations.--Virginia Pine

In this game of hide-and-seek, everyone has their own advantage. Wally the mammoth and Wolf are ready to play! Unfortunately, brown-furred Wally, wearing a magenta sweater with bits of fuzz poking out in all directions, sticks out against the ice and snow like, well, a mammoth in a magenta sweater. Not only is Wolf a good seeker, but the arctic environment renders the canine practically invisible. Wally begins to lose heart in the face of seemingly impossible odds, then declares, "But I am a MAMMOTH! And a MAMMOTH never gives up!" Wolf is equally determined, which makes for a show of friendly rivalry and good sportsmanship. Some clever negotiations and observations over cookies and cocoa finish the game just in time for the pals to take in the aurora borealis. A third friend, Otto the bird, happens upon the contest while blending in with the rest of the flock. Wally and Wolf's world, rendered by Webb in digital watercolor and pencil, is full of endearingly rough edges and cute details. Wally's tiny tusks, the coils of light glowing around the sun to stretch out shadows, and the little snowman that Wolf builds while hiding are a few examples of the personality embedded in the artwork, sure to hold readers' attention. Cheery snowy day fun capped with warm treats--what could be better?(Graphic early reader. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.