Tails (by Matthew Van Fleet)

This busy pop-up book is short on plot but long on fun. Each page has something to do -- a tab to pull to make eggs hatch or a fluffy tail to pet. A short sentence runs across the two facing pages, making this a quick read, but kids may want to linger on the pop-up features. The book is sturdier than most pop-up books, with heavy pages and chunky tabs, but most toddlers and preschoolers will require adult supervision (and help).

Kids will love playing with the book but some may not be interested in the rather mundane text. Simple rhymes do little more than slow down kids anxious to hurry and pull the next tab. Fortunately, the pictures and pop-ups give readers lots to discuss as they move through the book.