Spot, Spike, Spiral

Animals and patterns are introduced with soft yet vibrant pencil-and-watercolor illustrations and three simple words: spot, spike, spiral. On the first spread, a scattering of black dots appears on a white background with the single word Spot. Three critters poke their way onto the next, framing Spike with needle-like beetle legs, barbed caterpillar growths, and a pointy insects horn. A shell and a curled tail and bug introduce Spiral. The pattern of words repeats twice more, illustrated with individual animals, until the rainbow-hued lanternfly demonstrates Spot and Spike, a furled Vietnamese rainbow millipede unites Spot and Spiral, and a veiled chameleon sports Spot and Spike. Toddlers will love the weird and beautiful animals, all identified in a final spread, and the repetition of the text, which will help them understand these patterns.

Julia Smith, Booklist (Starred Review), May 31, 2019