Peekaboo Santa by Camilla Reid. Illus. by Ingela P. Arrhenius

Anyone who has played peekaboo with a young child can still hear the squeals of delight as the hidden is revealed, and so this interactive board book with all sorts of things to discover is going to be greeted with great anticipation.

Start by focusing their thoughts on the season and the sorts of things that might be mentioned - a critical early reading behaviour that develops the ability to predict text - and then use the support of the rhyming structure to narrow their choices. There are multiple sliders for young fingers to manipulate and a surprise ending that will have them giggling for ages.

An ideal way to build anticipation, context and the joy of reading a book that they can return to again and again, because even if they know the secrets it is the power of being independent that is such a drawcard.

Themes: Santa Claus.

Barbara Braxton