HIDE & SEEK WITH CLYDE & MONIQUE

A busy day of exploration for two friends—and readers.

After arriving at Clyde’s aunt’s house, Monique wonders where Clyde is. He pops out and suggests that they play hide-and-seek in his aunt’s vast backyard. Monique volunteers to seek, while Clyde is confident in his hiding abilities. The outdoor pastime is a festively furtive affair, with Monique reacting to every investigated corner: The child sneezes at the flowers, exclaims over the warmth of the greenhouse, and recoils in disgust at the basement cobwebs. The yard is filled with vocal animals, too, from a mewing cat to clucking chickens and quacking ducks. Annable slyly plays with perspective, from an overhead shot of Monique gazing into the chicken coop to lovely, panoramic views of the garden. He employs soft, fuzzy linework in keeping with the upbeat tone. The mischievous masterstroke, however, is how Clyde is hidden on nearly every page during the game. Looking for him is truly a lesson in observation and will get readers in the habit of paying close attention to the artwork in graphic novels; this is a tale to build visual literacy and set readers on the path to becoming longtime comics fans. Both kiddos are good sports about how the game concludes, and it all wraps up with a snack and a rematch. Monique is light-skinned; Clyde is tan-skinned.

An irresistible playdate.