More an offbeat alphabet search game than a story, this book will test even the oldest reader. Young kids may be overwhelmed with the challenge of finding 22 "A's" or 45 "S's." They may even find it impossible since words that begin with the letters are not all nouns, which can be hard for younger kids to understand.

Beginning readers may also be confused by the mix of sounds on some pages. For example, words, such as those on the "c" page, may start with the alphabet letter "c" but not the hard sound "k." Beginners may easily find "cat" or "cow" but, unless they can spell, they may have a hard time seeing how "chicken" or "circle" fit.

Artwork carries this book. The brightly colored, playful illustrations created in acrylics and spray paint on watercolor paper are inventive and inviting. The cartoon-like creatures will make kids want to play the game. Clever pictures though may not make up for the obtuseness of some images; it's a little too ingenuous for its own good.

Readers who don't mind taking a couple of days to find the 5th "q" on the "q" page may enjoy this book. So might those who don't mind not discovering all of the hidden items. Thank goodness a list of answers is presented at the back of the book for the rest of us.