I Spy Under the Sea

PreS-K—Following the same successful formula as in I Spy with My Little Eye (Candlewick, 2011), Gibbs offers peeks, via die-cut circles, into the marine world: "I spy with my little eye…something with a curly tail. (I am named after an animal you can ride.)" On the following spread, readers will find six seahorses. Why six? The author is introducing basic numbers—a countdown from seven to one-as well as aquatic creatures. The digitally created illustrations are well executed, mainly composed of muted blues and greens but with some colorful seahorses and bright sand crabs invigorating the earlier pages. Then Gibbs turns the tables on readers, as is his custom, and the last creature says, "I'm a SHARK, and I spy…YOU!" This cleverly designed treatment will inspire children to take a closer look at life in the ocean, at least in the pages of a book.—Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY