Exactly the Opposite

The prolific master of the preschool photo-essay has produced another winner in which, as the title succinctly states, she wordlessly explores opposites. In 13 contrasting spreads framed by equally effective first- and last-page single photos, Hoban represents such ideas as closed/open, intact/ broken, big/little, front/back, hot/cold, up/down, tied/untied and more. The vivid color pictures are well composed, and often so intriguingly detailed that the viewer might even forget the book's ``point.'' But as is often the case with Hoban, her photographic prowess alone is worth the price of the book. Ages 2-up. (Sept.)