Yoo-Hoo, Ladybug!

"In this seek-and-find picture book, a cheerful ladybug hides in a series of places familiar to young children: a bathtub full of toys, a playroom, a cluttered staircase. Energetic rhyming verses introduce each scene and invite preschoolers to find the beetle.... The book makes excellent use of white backgrounds to direct attention and provide breathing space. Ljungkvist's digital illustrations are colorful and interesting, but not too busy. They promote comfort and confidence by repeating objects, such as a robot and blocks that spell out "ladybug" in different configurations." "Readers join the narrator in searching for a smiling ladybug amidst a jumble of recurring objects arranged in various settings.... The sprightly digital illustrations teeming with patterned backgrounds and objects allow Ms. L. to conceal herself behind teddy bears, chickens, toy rabbits, etc." "Effervescent graphics and an engrossing hide-and-seek game make this a diverting book to share.... Fox's ("Tell Me About Your Day Today") repetitive phrases appear on Easter egg-hued pages opposite Ljungkvist's cacophonous digital art and punchy palette, whose playroom messiness couldn't be farther from her compulsively tidy Follow the Line and its sequels.... Young children will enjoy mastering this visual game." "A ladybug that likes to hide drives the action in this cheery, rhyming romp. "Yoo-hoo, Ladybug! Where are you?" This lilting refrain beckons children to hunt for the little beetle amid teeming, digitally rendered household toyscapes.... Ljungkvist includes enough animals, toys and recurring details...to invite plenty of scrutiny...a well-ordered experience that will both entertain and instruct young children. Ljungkvist's pictures pay homage to Barbara Cooney's "Chanticleer and the Fox", Leo Lionni's windup mouse and Pat Hutchins's Rosie. Fox's playful rhymes steer young preschoolers along on this very satisfying excursion."