cover image Carrot/Parrot

Carrot/Parrot

Jerome Martin. Simon & Schuster, $9.94 (0pp) ISBN 978-0-671-69555-2

When does a duck become a truck? How does a goose turn into a moose? The answers to these and other questions can be found on the ``presto-change-o'' pages of these two inventive concept books. Each spread features a softly colored--though occasionally amateurish--pencil drawing sharply outlined in black. A vertical half-page overlay, when turned, alters the original word slightly and transforms elements of the original artwork into a new image. Though these two clever books are excellent for those just beginning to spell and read, some clarification may be needed when Martin uses verbs (``creep, sleep'') instead of nouns. The guessing challenge and merry metamorphoses will appeal to younger children as well. Ages 3-6. (May)