What Ship Is NOT a Ship?

-Wordplay forms the basis for an intriguing guessing game as trios of similar things are followed by something different. For very young readers and listeners who enjoy naming objects in pictures, this offers an interesting further step that will also challenge older brothers and sisters. Panda bears, brown bears and polar bears are all bears. ‘What bear is NOT a bear?’ Turn the page to see a woolly bear caterpillar. Each pair of pages includes a similar question and answer as well as dictionary-style definitions of the puzzle words and answer. Just as the pattern begins to seem repetitious, there is a variation, just a question followed by the answer on a double-page spread. And so forth. The final, title spread is predictable: children demonstrating friendship. While some sets are easy, others may surprise even adults. ‘A hi-hat [cymbal] is NOT a hat!’ Further puzzles are offered in a two-page conclusion; answers will be found on the publisher’s website. Warning! This could become addictive. Masse’s stylized paintings include recognizable objects, a diverse collection of children and some appealing details (note the snowman outside the cutaway house and the cat on the bookcase). The prolific Ziefert has provided a game that everyone can play. —Kirkus Reviews

Harriet Ziefert has written many children’s books for HarperCollins including “What’s A Vacation?” and “When Will Santa Come, ” both illustrated by Claire Schumacher, the Bear Boar Books, illustrated by Susan Baum, and “Scooter’s Christmas, ” illustrated by Rick Brown. Ms. Ziefert lives in New Jersey and Massachusetts. Simms Taback has collaborated with Harriet Ziefert on many HarperCollins children’s books. Some of their titles include “Noisy Barn!, Zoo Parade!, ” and the sticker book readers, “On Our Way to the Forest” and “On Our Way to the Water.” Mr. Taback lives in New York City.