Can You See the Red Balloon

This lively and versatile concept book helps kids learn to identify colors and shapes. Blackstone and Harter, previously paired for Who Are You?, challenge readers to find a single item in each mixed-media cartoon scene of cheerful bedlam (""Can you see the blue flower?"" on one page; ""Can you see the orange tower?"" on the next). While the objects can take some effort to find in spreads teeming with activity, the proximity of Florence, a goofy-looking cow, helps (she jumps over the white moon, cowers on a chair to escape the gray mouse and waves a handkerchief from the orange tower). The borders of each scene list other objects in the same shade as the item highlighted, so while the youngest readers can settle for finding the yellow star, for example, older ones can hunt through a Christmas scene for yellow presents, yellow lights and yellow birds. And there are plenty of other diversions in additional colors, and striped or spotted patterns (like Holstein Florence). The density of humorous visual detail--including mice stacking up to reach the refrigerator handle, an alien spooking a ghost, a sheep blowing on a dandelion--offers kids plenty of amusement. Ages 2-5. (Sept.)