The Big Book for Little Hands

This oversize (about 10½×12½) book announces on its flyleaf that it is by Cocagne, Strevens-Marzo and youas if Taro Gomi had created ""Scribbles ""for a preschool set, its engagingly patterned, warmly colored pages rely on reader participation for completion. Type with a hand-lettered feel encourages readers to add to pictures in progress, reinforcing educational concepts at the same time (This little zebra loves stripes, even on his clothes and bags! reads a caption accompanying a picture of a largely white zebra; Hang on monkeys! read the words underneath a view of four monkeys in a car. You have to put at least four suitcases on the roof of the car before you leave). The childlike illustrations belie a nuanced understanding of the target audience: this book and a box of crayons will make any four- or five-year-old who loves to draw extremely happy. A penultimate spread involving a Christmas tree and reindeer also signals a good (if unseasonable) holiday gift. Ages 3-6. ""(Apr.)"" .