Perrin, Clotilde. Inside the Suitcase. Gecko Press, 09/2021. [20p.]. $21.99, 978-1-776573-43-1.
Originally published in France and translated by Daniel Hahn, this picture book with flaps is about a boy with a magical red suitcase. The text asks the reader to knock on the door, open the suitcase, and follow other instructions to interact with the story.
He finds a house and a key, then a smaller house on the beach that contains a cake, then an even smaller house under the ocean. Each time, the reader is asked to knock, and open the flap doors to see what is inside.
The paper flaps are not particularly sturdy, making this most appropriate for children old enough to read the text, or to use as a storytime book and not for circulation.
The illustrations appear to be done using watercolor and pencil, and use the style of European animation. This unusual book could inspire a writing lesson or a hands-on craft project of making a suitcase out of construction paper.
Penny Peck, San Jose State University iSchool
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