INSIDE THE VILLAINS

The title can be taken literally, as the figures of a wolf, a giant, and a witch posing on the right sides of each big spread are kitted out with artful multilayered flaps that, lifted up, reveal contents of heads and stomachs as well as underclothes and pockets full of knives, captive children, or other treasures.

Thus, readers tantalized by the wolf’s list of strengths and flaws and a full version of “The Wolf and the Seven Little Goats” beneath the gatefold opposite can peel aside his pelt to see him clad in “Grandma’s nightgown,” open up his head to see strategies for getting into various houses, move his jaws up and down to marvel at his big teeth, and lift up a cut spiral to view kids and other victims in his “Misery-guts.” Or lift the witch’s petticoat for a gander at her underpants, or peer beneath the giant’s vest to reveal tattoos with “Hangry,” “Sausage Power,” and other legends. Each villain is presented with one unabridged tale (“Jack and the Beanstalk” and “Alyoshka and Baba Yaga” are the other two) and lots of oblique but easily recognizable references (“THINGS I HATE: Mirrors, girls fairer than I, children who are too smart, wide open ovens”). In addition, each profile includes a list of other related, popular stories (mostly but not entirely European). The witch, the giant, and all of the smaller human figures are white.

Splendid introductions, chock-full of villainous revelations and insights both figurative and literal.