Review Detail

In this sequel to the book Tuck Me In!, young readers are invited to help a wide range of hungry animals by lifting the flap and finding them a snack. From a tiny mouse who would like some cheese to a panda who is eager for some bamboo, readers learn the complementary concepts that all creatures need nourishment but that they need different types of food. Like many books in this genre, this one ends by depicting human food and addressing the child reader: “Is anybody else hungry? Are you? Eat up!”

Like Hacohen’s text, Scharschmidt’s illustrations are simple and engaging, and this well-matched author/illustrator pair is perfect for the very youngest children; they clearly know their audience well. For example, in addition to discovering the food that each animal seeks, toddlers will love discovering the other small creatures hidden under the flaps (e.g., a crab on the page with the seal, butterflies on the page with the monkey, etc.). The flaps, which cover about a third of the page, are particularly well designed for a non-board book, though because the pages are paper, adult guidance will still be necessary for children who are aggressive page-turners.

From an adult perspective, this is not the most original or stimulating book, but I can easily imagine it being a favorite for some 1-3-year-olds.