In Plain Sight: A Game

Sophie enjoys playing a hiding (and finding) game with her beloved grandfather. Each day after school, Sophie checks in with Grandpa, who sits in his wheelchair at an upstairs window. She asks about his day, and he mentions a small item that he's lost somewhere in his room, which he challenges Sophie to find. It could be anything: a paper clip, a rubber band, a straw, a paintbrush, a lemon drop. "Help me find it, will you, with your bright eyes?" Sophie's joy at "helping" her Grandpa is evident in Pinkney's delicate watercolors. Indeed, the detailed illustrations we have come to expect from Pinkney are the perfect hiding places for these objects. There is much to be learned about Sophie's life in this evocative art: Grandpa reads poetry; every corner of the family's homey brownstone holds books and newspapers; paintings and military memorabilia fill up the wall space. What makes the book special for readers is that they can play along with Sophie and Grandpa, finding the "missing" object buried cleverly in the illustrations, hiding "in plain sight." And, if anyone cannot find the object, on the next page-turn Pinkney provides visual hints when Sophie discovers the location. Jackson's text is direct, vigorous, and colloquial; the twist at the end-when Sophie turns the tables and gives Grandpa something to find-will warm hearts. robin smith

Each day after school, when Sophie checks in with Grandpa, he mentions a small item that he's lost, which he challenges Sophie to find. Readers can play along, finding the "missing" object placed cleverly (hiding "in plain sight") in Pinkney's detailed, delicate watercolor illustrations. Jackson's text is direct, vigorous, and colloquial; the twist ending--when Sophie gives Grandpa something to find--will warm hearts.