IN THE TOWN ALL YEAR ’ROUND

In this modern Richard Scarry look-alike, readers observe a bustling town though four seasons. The original version, published in German in 2003 in four volumes, has now been translated and condensed for an American audience. The result is a super-packed, sophisticated, almost wordless, look-and-find adventure. In each season readers see the same scenes, such as the park, the department store, the train station and the farm. Before each season, a page introduces several characters and shares information about them or asks questions such as “Who is this mysterious motorcyclist?” Readers then follow the motorcyclist through the town until he finally reveals himself as Santa. European flair is noticeable in the funky, comfortable clothes and style of the cars. Also Continental are such details as a mother nursing her baby in the park (subtly) or someone smoking in a cafe (yikes!). Younger readers might find the loose structure and the complexity of information overwhelming, but older, minutiae-oriented children will be entertained for hours. (Picture book. 5-8)