Washing Line
Washing Line: A Flip-Flap Book, by Jez Alborough
(Walker Books, $17.99)
My daughter adores books with flaps you can lift, and this book is even cooler than the usual lift-the-flap scenario because the flaps are in the middle of the pages and work both ways. The washing line is full of clothes, all of which belong to different animals who are hiding behind the flaps. "Whose are those socks hanging on the washing line?" asked the elephant, and then the book takes you through each of the animals and the silly clothing they've got hanging on the line. The best part, of course, is when the animals ask whose yellow-spotted red underwear are hanging on the line (they're the elephants!). And once the animals are all wearing their dry clothes, what are they to do? Get them wet and start all over again!
This is a fun and humorous way to introduce the concept of size to little ones, as well as an opportunity to name the animals and discuss what sounds they make. Older babies and toddlers will especially appreciate the half-page flaps that are just the right size for little fingers to flip. A fun ineractive book that will have your child giggling.
