Clare Youngs (Illustrator)
Clare was a graphic designer for many years, creating packaging for retailers Marks and Spencer, Boots, and many others. For the last decade she has worked as a collage artist and published a number of paper-craft books for both adults and children, including Animal Parade (Design for Today). Clare has four (now grown-up) children and lives with her husband and their dachshund, Otis, on the sunny coast of Kent, England.

PreS-K-Listeners are invited to gaze at Clip Clop Zebra and then find the spotted ladybug on the same page. That means lifting the flap, and the ladybug appears. So, it goes for Ooo Ooo Monkey with shiny snail, Munch Munch Hippo with hoppy frog, and Roar Roar Lion with a pretty butterfly. The last page recaps what the animals say and asks, "What do you say?" with a mirror under the flap. No, a zebra doesn't actually say "clip, clop" as much as its hooves make that sound, but that's a minor quibble. The collagelike illustrations are colorful and use shiny foil for eye-catching interest. There is plenty of white space, so the animals and flaps don't fight visual clutter.

VERDICT This multisensory board book with flaps, foil, and a mirror at the end has appeal for preschoolers; purchase as needed.

[U]ntil now I don't think I'd seen [foil in a board book] used as beautifully and artistically as it has by Clare Youngs... [O]nce you get inside, you'll find these enormously engaging shiny patterns on the animals. I think it's the use of foil in patterns (and delicate ones at that) that really blew me away... So for primo use of foil (and some thoroughly charming animals to boot) this is the series to watch.