Review: Who's There, Spot?

Who’s There, Spot?

Written and Illustrated by Eric Hill

Publication Date: 2011
Publisher: Puffin Books
ISBN: 978-0-141-33479-0

This is another super lift-the-flap book featuring the loveable puppy, Spot. It begins with Spot answering the front door, in the morning, and follows Spot throughout the day as he goes to school and plays around the house. Along the way he uncovers surprises behind bushes, a pile of washing, doors and other coverings.

This is a lovely addition to the Spot book collection (like most children, my kids are HUGE fans of the lift-the-flap stories). My only concern is that one of the characters is a strange-looking creature and when my kids ask what it is I don’t know how to answer! It might be a type of dog, but I can’t be sure…

My rating: 3.5 out of 5

Review written by team_s

Review: Spot Bakes a Cake

Spot Bakes a Cake

by Eric Hill

Publication Date: 1994

Publisher: Penguin Group

ISBN: 0-7232-5767-1

Summary/back cover:

Spot plans a surprise for his dad’s birthday. Lift the flaps in this lively picture book to see how he succeeds in creating a very special cake.

Another Spot the dog book. This book does have a story – Spot’s dad is about to have a birthday so Spot, with the help of his mum, goes about purchasing the ingredients, then mixing and baking the cake, and waiting for it to cook. There’s a mouse helping Spot, which I found to be a little unsanitary… but given that this occurs in a world where dogs can push trolleys at the supermarket and bake cakes I guess it stands to reason that there’s no harm in a mouse licking the spatula! I love reading this one to my 23 month-old boys whenever there is a birthday celebration coming up and then “we” bake a cake, make a birthday card and blow up balloons just like in Spot’s story.

My rating:  4 out of 5

Review written by team_s

Review: Spot Can Count

Spot Can Count

by Eric Hill

Publication Date: 1999

Publisher: Puffin

ISBN: 978-0-140-56701-4

Spot the dog is a classic, and this lift-the-flap book follows him around the farm counting animals. There isn’t really a story per se, it begins with Spot telling his dad that he can count to ten and then the rest of the book follows the formula: “How many … are in the …?” and you lift the flap to find the answer. This book is a great introduction to numbers, counting and farm animals. Kids always love the interactive experience of lifting the flaps. Beware with younger children, though. It pays to have a glue-stick and some cellotape handy for the inevitable flap repairs you’ll be making!

My rating:  3.8 out of 5

Review written by team_s