Look by Gavin Bishop

Look by Gavin Bishop. Gecko Press, 2023. 9781776575015






Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4



Format: Board book



What did you like about the book? I never knew this format was called a “concertina book” until I checked Gecko’s website. When unfolded, readers will see 11 different faces (mostly human but with one dog!) of different ages, races, and genders. Flip the book over and unfold it again to see common objects, such as a set of keys, a ball, a pair of eye glasses, and a bird. Each image is simple, bright, and colorful, created with discernible brushstrokes and (probably) thinned acrylic paint. I loved the construction of this book-as-object and can imagine toddlers stretching it out to its full four-foot length. Although the pages are wordless, the pictures will give young children and caregivers plenty to talk about and point at: the little girl has red bows in her hair, the lady has blue glasses, the man has a black goatee, etc. The faces are generic enough to stand in for familiar friends and family and the objects on the back side are sure to remind babies of things around their own homes. The entire contraption seems sturdy and likely to hold up to repeated use.



Anything you didn’t like about it? No



To whom would you recommend this book? Anyone looking for a unique and stylish board book for the very young.



Who should buy this book? Preschools and public libraries



Where would you shelve it? Board books



Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? No



Reviewer: Susan Harari, Keefe Library, Boston Latin School, Boston, MA



Date of review: September 28, 2023