Synopsis
A picture book that combines charming pictures and language-learning ideas to delight children with a 'what-is-in-what' -- from a pocket holding treasure to a spoon with a face in it.
Children's Literature
A young girl charmingly speculates on what can be inside, and what cannot. There is room for questions and answers, as she realizes that just as the barn has a horse inside, the house can have "me" inside, but a sock cannot have a head inside, only a toe. The basket holding the clothes to be hung out to dry can also have a naughty puppy inside; he must come out. As she explores her home and farm, she finds her grandma in a car, then a muffin treat with chocolate chips inside, but a cow in a tree? Of course not! Her mom and dad join her as she finds her wiggly baby sibling inside a blanket, then her own face reflected in a spoon. Her good night story ends neatly with the horse still in the barn. Bettridge's gentle ink and watercolor illustrations focus on the narrative's events in vignettes, without the distractions of fully developed scenes. There is a casual look to the naturalistic imagery, with both comfort and delight in the experiences of our young heroine, with her energy lasting until bedtime. The equally casual, large, sans serif type face adds to the light-hearted feeling. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz