Although they have not officially been granted a series name, these three new picture books from Kids Can share an identical format. A flap is connected to the outer edge of each left page. Printed on this flap, which extends about halfway across the page, is the main text of the book. Opening the flap reveals further text and illustrations. The main body of the text follows a this-is-the-house-that-Jack-built pattern and presents its ideas in a simple, catchy manner: for example, “This is the snake that swallowed the toad, that gobbled the bug…”. The text underneath the flap offers additional facts and illustrations, and sometimes activity suggestions (such as “find these insects in the picture”).

This clever format provides two levels of text: one a simple story for quite young readers, and another, under the flap, a more involved scientific lesson. The colourful illustrations do an excellent job of supporting the text, with pictures that are lively and involving. Each book includes a Note to Parents, which discusses the text and suggests activities. Adults should perhaps be forewarned that in Hungry Animals, the animals really do kill and eat other creatures, and that the illustrations clearly show this.