What Will Hatch? by Jennifer Ward, illustrated by Susie Ghahremani Ages 3-5 40 pages Walker February 2013 Hardcover     The die-cut holes in this picture book resemble eggs. Clues about the animal hidden inside are given through the text and illustrations. The crocodile eggs sit “in a pile” of mud by the seashore; the “yellow, tiny” eggs from a caterpillar sit on a leaf. Turning the page reveals a baby oviparous animal (those hatched from eggs). Details about the time spent in the egg, the mother, and the number of siblings each animal could have are found on the two-page spread at the end of the book. Ward’s brief rhyming descriptions of each animal are hand-lettered. Ghahremani’s gouache on wood illustrations give the story a rustic feel. The eight animals, which appear in their natural environments, are labeled with a decorative banner. The clever design of The What Will Hatch? will make the topics of eggs and baby animals appealing to children.     web reviews   Tanya Boudreau/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)