Kaleidoscope

A cover flap with an embedded kaleidoscopic lens and turning wheel cleverly transforms this lyrical tour of the seasons into an actual kaleidoscope. By positioning the flap above the die-cut right-hand pages and turning the lens, readers can view geometric shapes change their form, making an umbrella twirl in the rain, a star shimmer in the night sky, and steam rise above an apple pie. Brief, rhyming phrases have a sense of movement of their own: “Twinkling sunlight,/ leaves crisscrossing./ Prickly seedpods/ gently tossing.” Striking and highly inventive, this is a visual delight. Ages 3–up. Agent: Jamie Weiss Chilton, Andrea Brown Literary Agency. (Apr.)