PICTURE BOOK - The Rabbit Problem by Emily Gravett

Illustrated by the author

2009 in England
2010 US McMillan Children's

HC $17.99

Goodreads rating:  4.24 - 760 ratings

My rating: 5 - This is going to be along-time favorite, I love it!

Back cover:  “The Rabbit Problem:  This book is based on a problem that was solved in the 13^th Century by the Mathematician Fibonacci, but it is NOT (I repeat NOT) and book about math.  It is a book about rabbits… Lots of rabbits!”

My comments:  First of all, the book is made so you can SEE how it’s made, you can see the ¾-inch long stitches, you can see the four signatures, you can take a look at the spine and see how the book is put together.  For me, that’s cool.  Secondly, the book is made like a calendar.  Once you open to the first page you have to rotate the book and read it vertically.  There are even holes punched all the way through the book (including the cover) so that it could hang like a real calendar.  And then the cleverness starts.  So thirdly, each double-page spread has a small “something” attached that you have to read (and totally enjoy!) before you turn the page.  And fourthly (spoiler alert!!!):  the last two pages are a magnificent pop-up.

          An invitation; knitting directions; Bunny’s baby book; The Ministry of Carrots RATION BOOK (all filled in); “The Fibber”, Fibonacci Field’s only local newspaper; and the Carrot Cookbook are all totally delightful and hysterical.  Read every work, these are a riot.  Actually, the entire book is a riot.  Perfect for older kids and even adults for a good ha-ha-ha.

          And Fibonacci’s Principle is fully discovered, disclosed, and discussed.  There’s even a math problem involved if one desires to try to figure it out (I do!).  Every page bears details to delight one and all, so look carefully everywhere, and take your time.  What a treat!  Hugely recommended.

Goodreads:  Hop along to the Field and follow Lonely and Chalk Rabbit through a year as they try to cope with their fast expanding brood and handle a different seasonal challenge each month, from the cold of February to the wet of April and the heat of July.

Open This Little Book - Jesse Klausmeier

Illustrated by Suzy Lee

Chronicle Books, 2013

HC $16.99

32 pages

Goodreads rating: 4.27

My rating: 4

Endpapers: Lines of grey teardrop shapes on white

Title Page:  3/4-inch smaller lavender page, with the animals from the upcoming story reading books as they lean on a pile of books.

Illustrations:  Simple.  It's the make-up of the book that's original and clever. Books inside of books inside of books.

1^st line:  "Open this...LITTLE RED BOOK (turn page)...and read about Ladybug, who opens a......(smaller page to open)....LITTLE GREEN BOOK (turn page)....and reads about Frog, who opens a.....LITTLE ORANGE BOOK (pages consistently get smaller, then larger as thy'er closed)

My reaction:  Fun and clever.  I do love clever.  Pages, representing books, get smaller and smaller as you turn them.  The only "actual size" pages are the endpapers!  Ashley and Ella both loved it.

Goodreads:  What will you find when you open this little book? A fun story? Sweet characters? Enticing pictures? Yes! But much more. Open this book and you will find...another book...and another...and another. Debut author Jesse Klausmeier and master book creator Suzy Lee have combined their creative visions to craft a seemingly simple book about colors for the very youngest readers, an imaginative exploration of the art of book making for more sophisticated aficionados, and a charming story of friendship and the power of books for all.