Follow Follow: A Book of Reverso Poems

Singer and Masse’s companion to Mirror Mirror (a PW Best Book in 2010) is just as inspired as its predecessor. Iconic fairy tale characters speak through poems that can be read backward and forward, resulting in drastically different meanings. Familiar rivals duke it out: “I can’t be/ beat./ I’ve got rabbit feet to/ take me to the finish line,” says the overconfident hare. “Take me to the finish line!/ I’ve got rabbit feet to/ beat./ I can’t be/ the smallest bit distracted,” maintains the tortoise. Elsewhere, the line “Behold his glorious majesty” conveys both vanity and incredulity in Singer’s take on the Emperor’s New Clothes. Cobalts, reds, and golds dominate Masse’s textured acrylics, contributing suitably regal visuals for Singer’s dizzyingly clever wordplay. Ages 6–up. Agent: Brenda Bowen, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. Illustrator’s agent: Lori Nowicki, Painted Words. (Feb.)