cover image Under the Hood

Under the Hood

Christophe Merlin. Candlewick, $14.99 (14p) ISBN 978-0-7636-5535-8

Surprises abound in this cheeky lift-the-flap book as Bear, a grouchy mechanic in blue coveralls, gets help (of a sort) from his animal friends%E2%80%94and readers%E2%80%94when his red convertible needs fixing. Lifting flaps for the hood and trunk reveals Crocodile fooling around, while an enormous double-page panel flips up to put the car on a lift. Animal mischief continues when Bear hits the road (looking inside a police vehicle reveals that it has been commandeered by pig bandits). The retro aesthetic of Merlin's muted acrylics call to mind Richard Scarry's Busytown books; readers should enjoy teasing out each of the book's hidden secrets. Ages 3%E2%80%93up. (Oct.)