PEEK-A CHOO-CHOO!

Laden revisits the formula she found early success with in Peek-a Who? (2000).

Unfortunately, in this fourth outing, it’s feeling a little worn. Even the kidney-shaped die cuts designed to entice inquisitive babies are placed exactly as they were in the earlier books. The image glimpsed through the hole hints at the picture and word that will be revealed when the page is turned. This time the common theme is modes of travel, starting with a train, then a canoe, rocket, balloon, and shoe. Obviously, only “canoe” and “shoe” rhyme with “choo-choo,” so Laden stretches the game to "flew" for the rocket and "blew" for the hot air balloon. Very young children may be confused by the kites that fly across the page before the balloon is discovered (their strings become the balloon’s seams after the page-turn). They may also wonder why Laden abandons the single-word rhyme scheme on the final page, which is occupied by a mirror. Logically, it should say, "You!" Instead, it reads, "Peek-a I SEE YOU!"—which does not make for a smooth end to this trip. The plastic film that protects the mirror is a choking hazard and should be removed before allowing young children to handle the book independently.

A disappointing trip on a too-frequently-driven track