Animal Opposites by Petr Horacek Ages 3-7 20 pages Candlewick August 2013 Hardcover     This pop-up book introduces children to opposites. Using a variety of creatures, celebrated illustrator Petr Horacek shows the difference between “smooth” and “spiky,” “weak” and “strong,” and “tall” and “short.” After introducing an animal like a hippo on one page that exemplifies an idea such as “heavy,” the opposite page offers a flap that, when lifted, shows the opposite. In this instance, a butterfly pops up as an example of “light.” The big surprise comes at the end of the book when a huge elephant unfolds that will have the child laughing with delight. Other animals include a lion, giraffe, meerkat, sloth, porcupine, cheetah, goose and frog.     web reviews   Bob Walch/2013 for curled up with a good kid's book   For grown-up fiction, nonfiction and speculative fiction book reviews, visit our sister site Curled Up With a Good Book (www.curledup.com)