Changing Colors

Gently delivering exercises in fact-finding and clue-crunching, the Animal Clues board book series challenges readers to identify the animal subjects of each volume. Changing Colors, for example, begins, ""My head is crested and bumpy, and my long tail can curl up."" Text is matched with magnified renderings of these body parts, the illustrations serving almost as puzzle pieces. The scaly green skin may be a red herring to young detectives eager to hazard lizard or alligator, but further clues narrow the possibilities until the final, full portrait reveals the answer (""I am a chameleon!""). High in the Trees takes a similar tack with a cuddly, eucalyptus-munching koala bear. Twinem's (Aye-Ayes, Bears and Condors: An ABC of Endangered Animals & Their Babies) softly idealized, piece-by-piece renderings of these creatures supply ample and accurate detail--enough to fuel repeat readings once the ""mystery"" has been solved. Ages 1-5. (July)