Books that extoll the virtues of reading often fall flat, but Open This Little Book succeeds on two counts: it is a vivid, dramatic work of art and, upon concluding, it will cause readers to scramble excitedly to open another book.
The title page of first-time author Jesse Klausmeier's text asks readers to "Open This Little Book." Turning the page reveals a "Little Red Book," with a slightly smaller trim size, featuring a Ladybug who, like readers, opens a slightly smaller "Little Green Book," starring a Frog who opens an orange book, etc. The smallest book, "Little Rainbow Book," is 3" x 2", and the Giant featured in the preceding "book" can open it only with the help of her smaller-handed animal friends. At this midway point, the borders of the previous "books" form a rectangular rainbow of bold watercolors that begs readers to pull out crayons and create their own rainbows.
Youngest readers can learn, name and explore colors even if they do not understand the book-within-a-book concept; readers aged five and up will likely take away more, including a sense of imaginative wonder sparked by Suzy Lee's (Wave) masterful work. Her illustrations do not merely enchant; they exemplify what heights picture books can achieve. The power of Lee's artwork lies in the reader's act of turning the page: a simple but oft-underestimated motion that can yield surprise and emotional impact. Each time readers turn a page of Open This Little Book, they are rewarded with another piece of the artistic puzzle. --Allie Jane Bruce, children's librarian, Bank Street College of Education