Warning: Do Not Open this Book! Written by Adam Lehrhaupt, illustrated by Matthew Forsythe. Simon & Schuster, 2013. ISBN 978-1-4424-3582-7
Summary: With cautions such as "This book is super-dangerous", and "Go back! Wrong way!", the stage is set for catastrophe and silliness. Monkeys are released into the book with a turn of the page, and begin to paint messily and tamper with the text. When things seem to have settled down somewhat, and the monkeys are resting, a flock of toucans is loosened and craziness ensues. When an alligator who wants to eat the monkeys and toucans appears, all hope of returning to a quieter, less chaotic state is lost.
Can the reader, with the help of the narrator, figure out a way to contain the silliness? Will the monkeys, toucans, and alligator be caught and their mayhem contained? Keep turning the pages to find out.
Critical Evaluation: Lehrhaupt has created an extremely silly interactive book that begs to be read again and again. With simple text that becomes a part of the design of each two-page layout, and suspenseful pacing that encourages page turning, even while the narrative warns against it, this picture book encourages laughter and engagement.
Forsythe's digitally rendered illustrations are restrained in color, being composed of mainly earth tones, but the movement and energy he captures in his depictions of the animals are nothing but lively. The facial expressions and goofy posturing of the monkeys are irresistible, and children will delight in their antics.
In a world full of rules, this book offers children an opportunity to not follow directions, and safely explore the outcome. Young readers may recognize themselves in the mess-making behaviors of the animals, and will enjoy playing a key role in solving the problem of the escaped animals.
The solution is cleverly proposed, and even the back cover of the book becomes part of the narrative. This book would be a wonderful read-aloud for a preschool or Kindergarten story time, with guaranteed participation from all listeners.
Age or Interest Level: Ages 2 to 6
Awards: ALA notable book, 2014 E.B. White Read-Aloud Honor Award
Why Included? As a longtime fan of Grover, the premise of this interactive book really appealed to me, and it did not disappoint.