Inside This Book: (are three books)

PreS-Gr 1—This cleverly done three-books-in-one original concept book will appeal to a broad range of readers because the conceit is that it's been "written by" three siblings with varying artistic and cognitive styles. The books follow each sibling from eldest to youngest. The oldest child, Seymour, writes his story in a decidedly abstract way, with pen and watercolor drawing that could have been convincingly done by an elementary student. His sister, Fiona, creates a more concrete yet still imaginative book with colored pencil with pen outline art. The youngest is a preschooler named Wilbur, exhibiting his self-portrait and book with graphite outline and color pastels—and a dinosaur. The best part of this offering is the books within the book format. The art is formal yet folksy and mimics what could have been created by children of developmentally appropriate ages.