Hidden from View: Animals in Disguise

Five acetate overlays are put to poor use in this ring-bound picture book about animals that depend on trompe l'oeil for survival. Here katydids conceal themselves among oak leaves, Sargassum fish blend into clumps of seaweed and an orchid mantis poses as a flower--at least that is what they're supposed to be doing. Unfortunately, the creatures are just as visible when they're ``hidden'' as when they're meant to be seen. Ganeri redeems this effort to some degree with her ability to relay basic facts in an interesting and informative manner, but kids hoping for a now-you-see-it/now-you-don't demonstration of natural camouflage will be disappointed. Ages 5-9. (Oct.)