Robert Crowther's Incredible Animal Alphabet

``P'' should stand for playful in this clever compendium of concealed critters. On each of six stark white spreads are several tabs and numerous flaps cut in rectangles of different sizes, which bear the names of alphabetically ordered zoological entries. Behind these flaps (or revealed by pulling the tabs) lurk the designated subjects: the fillip here is in Crowther's (Animal Rap!; Animal Snap!) sportive design and witty color portraits. Some tabs pluralize the animal: pulling the ``lemming'' tab, for example, reveals seven of the species-and the letter ``s.'' A couple of entries (gorilla, hen) add the extra dimension of pop-ups, and still more surprises await under flaps that hide additional animals, as when ``bear'' discloses a bee, and the elongated ``dinosaur'' is discovered chatting up a dodo. In a few cases, amusing IDs are spotted before the animal itself: tiny tracks on one page lead to a kitten, multiple ``ha ha ha''s emerge from the hyena's flap. In a crowded field, this book definitely jumps out. Ages 3-up. (May)