The Cutest Thing Ever

“Want to see the cutest thing ever?” asks an excited purple bat clad in a black sweater and blue pants. A three-eyed yellow monster with pink freckles and four feet waves from the next page, but the purple bat has had a critical change of heart: “Okay, I guess it could be cuter.” Ramping up the silliness with each page turn (“How about two kittens wearing hats inside of another hat! That a cute monster is wearing! And they’re riding a unicorn!!!”), Ignatow (the Popularity Papers series) hurdles young readers through a whimsical journey, while Pan’s dynamic illustrations—featuring rounded creatures against blank, candy-colored backgrounds—heighten the cuteness factor. Is it more adorable, for example, to add “a parade of koala bears” dancing and playing various instruments or, perhaps, pink bunny astronauts? In an interactive final surprise, a mirror held by the colorful cast of creatures reveals the cutest image of all: the book’s reader. Ages 3–5. [em](Sept.) [/em]