Lots of Spots

Ehlert's illustration style is unmistakable, featuring strong colors and shapes set against solid backgrounds. Her newest picture book celebrates the spots and stripes and colors of animals in short poems, rhymes, and even the occasional tongue twister. They don't all scan perfectly but are clever and thoughtful, frequently tickling a child's sense of humor ("There's no dispute— / goat's face is cute. / But its horns can hit / right where you sit"). Others provide an opportunity for learning new vocabulary ("excavates burrows / with great vigor"), and some introduce unfamiliar animals such as the skate or the Fritillary butterfly. Ehlert's signature paper collage art reflects keen observation of each of the dozens of creatures depicted. The clean white backgrounds make the details of the paper collage pop, and each element is thoughtfully arranged on the page to tie the poems and animals together. There are many delights here for sparking up a story time or simply rejoicing in the varied creatures, from lizards to giraffes.