Laura Holloway (text) and Kristen Willis (illustrator), Peek-a-Boo Lottie, Five Mile Press, March 2024, 24 pp., RRP $24.99 Ihbk), ISBN 9781922943989
Peek-a-boo Lottie celebrates a child’s game played in every country around the world. In English we call it peek-a-boo, but what is it called in other languages?
The beautiful innocence of playing peek-a-boo with a baby or toddler is joyful. Hearing them giggle and laugh as one person disappears and reappears is like music. I’d never thought that it was a global game until I read this book. Each page sees the main character, Lottie, meet with a non-English speaking person who plays the game in their language. The creators have even provided a pronunciation guide to assist the adults reading this book aloud.
I want to especially congratulate the author on getting the rhythm and rhyme of the text right. Rhyming text is the perfect choice for this audience this book is aimed at. When it’s done well, a book flows so much more seamlessly as a read aloud and given this book will only be used to read aloud to non-readers, it is crucial. It’s like an umpire in a game, if it’s done well, you don’t notice it, but when it’s done poorly it impedes enjoyment.
The illustrations are also pitched just right for the audience. They have a purity and playfulness that completely matches the themes of the book.
This picture book is for very young children, probably 12 months to 3 years. It will be a great one for parents, grandparents, and older siblings to read with their young ones as they learn to interact with each other and form bonds.
Reviewed by Cherie Bell
Click here to read what Laura Holloway and Kristen Willis say about creating this picture book.
