Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
French illustrator Coat blends a quirky sensibility with a slick visual aesthetic in a fairly comprehensive book about opposites starring a red hippopotamus that has been pared down to a bell-shaped head, a blockish behind, and two dots for eyes. The qualities and color of the hippo change to demonstrate antonyms like light and dark (the hippo is shown in pale yellow and black), thick and thin (its outline thickens), opaque and transparent, soft and rough (thanks to inset fur and burlap textures), and many more. The stocky, blocky hippo is more of a template than a character, but it's an excellent (and fun) vehicle through which to demonstrate the concept. Ages 1-4. (May) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-A bright red hippo is set against a stark white background on each page in this book of opposites. Coat displays the relative nature of opposites by showing that the hippo can be both small and large depending on what it is compared to. Concepts include squared and rounded, invisible and visible, in front and behind, and even include tactile elements for soft and rough. The clean design of this oversize board book takes a seemingly simple subject and gives it complexity. Some of the examples may be a bit abstract for preschoolers, but overall this is an interesting spin on an everyday subject that is worthy of a look.-Laura Butler, Mount Laurel Library, NJ (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A distinctive offering stands out in the crowded field of concept contenders. Opposite pairs (one to each spread) play themselves out against a hippo's silhouette. The graphically simple animal, with two small dots for eyes and a square-ish backside, demonstrates various ideas through perspective, color, texture and cut-outs, among others. Small/large positions the hippo next to a skyscraper and a mite; soft/rough finds the animal's outline filled with fuzzy fabric and burlap. Sophisticated use of positive and negative space creates some dazzling patterns that anticipate optical-illusion puzzles. The term "dotted" places formidable red polka-dots all over the hippo, providing the only spatial definition against the white background, with "striped" doing the same on the next page. Some abstract choices may not be clear enough for the young audience traditionally served by this format, though the large trim size and sturdy pages support repeat readings. A few of the obscure choices (opaque/transparent, positive/negative) will need both more context and time for a full understanding, making this a book that will grow with its audience. The hippo is the only lumbering element in this visually striking exploration. (Board book. 2-5)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
