Thinking about picture book forms

This week I have been so privileged to read the Master's Thesis of a friend entitled "Shapes and forms: Some recent uses of techniques in picture books". This thesis was written in 1990 but it is thrilling to see how many of her selected titles have really stood the test of time and I hope that nearly all of them are still available in your school library.  The thesis explores twenty forms - I won't list all of her choices here, but I have added a couple more of my own so I have a total of fourteen forms you could explore. The more I dip into this topic the more possibilities I have found such as stamping or using stamps (Jarrett and Jarome Pumphrey); dual functioning books (such as The Ribbon Le Ruban a book I long to own); clay sculpture illustrations such as Barbara Reid; photographic illustrations; narrative and illustrated nonfiction; and diorama constructions - try to find books illustrated by Soyeon Kim to see this form.

Here is a video of this book (in French)

I have listed the thesis picture book example first and then examples of my own. This thesis was originally given the title 'innovations in the picture book' but many of the forms/shapes listed are actually very old for example the popup book and the leporello. The book at the top of this post is a leporello! I do love that word (and form). So the thesis author changed her heading to Shapes and Forms.

I also need to think about where to place one of my most shared and most treasured but very obscure books:

1 is for One

1. Wordless

Up and Up by Shirley Hughes

Check out my Pinterest of Wordless Books (IBBY call them Silent books)

I have tons of favourites but I first thought of one special favourite, because it was the first wordless book I ever read, Sunshine by Jan Omerod. Thinking about more recent ones I would list Stormy by GuoJing and The Midnight Fair by Gideon Sterer illustrated by Mariachiara Di Giorgio. If you haven't discovered Peter Collington try to find his books in a library. My own favourite is The Tooth Fairy.

2. Paper engineering (pop up and die-cut or laser cut)

Haunted House Jan Pienkowski

The die cutting process is a way to create unique shapes in material. It’s often used artistically on covers to cut windows into a book or on interior pages to create flaps, pop-up structures or interesting shapes.

The master of the popup is Robert Sabuda. His paper engineering will amaze you. An older book I marvel over with amazing die cut pages is The Story of Snowflake and Raindrop. This book also fits into the category of a flip over book. More recent examples of die cut pages are found in books by Britta Teckentrup for example her book A Happy Place. You might also look for books by Aaron Becker and Su Blackwell. I recently spied this edition based on Mary Poppins with die cut or laser cut illustrations.

Read more about Hélène Druvert here.

3. Lift the flap

Where's Spot? by Eric Hill

I stumbled on Mouse's Wood by Alice Melvin a couple of years ago and now I see there are sequels. I also love the bird books by Bridget Farmer which have the sturdiest flaps and incredible art. Searching for Treasure by Johanna Bell illustrated by Emma Long made me gasp and you do need to add Who Lives here by Julia Donaldson illustrated by Rebecca Cobb to your collection. All of these books show that flaps are not just for our tiny reading companions but of course every little child does need to see and touch lots of books about Spot.

4. Flip over book (reversable)

Round Trip by Ann Jonas

I cannot cite many examples of these but I do love them. I always think of an old book - And then it Rained by Crescent Dragonwagon. Another example could be Mirror by Jeannie Baker. You don't flip this one over but readers see the action side by side in two different locations simultaneously.  An Australian example is Room on our Rock by Kate and Jol Temple. 

5. Stitching (using textiles)

The Shoemaker and the Elves stitching by C & W Birrer

I find books with illustrations made from embroidery or stitching or fabric patchwork very appealing. One UK illustrator to look for is Rachel Griffin. You could also look for The Whispering Cloth: a refugee's story by Pegi Deitz Shea and illustrated by Anita Riggio. I love the work by US textile artist Salley Mavor. I would love to own her book called My Bed. 

6. Letters in envelopes

The Jolly Postman by Allan Ahlberg (and sequels)

I have so many book forms that I adore but I think the value-added of real letters inside envelopes is one I find the most delightful. AND I thank publishers who are willing to invest money into the production of these. Santa Post by Emma Yarlett; Maisy's Christmas Letters by Lucy Cousins; Letters from Felix: A Little Rabbit on a World Tour by Annette Langen; Meerkat Mail Emily Gravett; and of course The Jolly Christmas postman by Allan Ahlberg.

7. Collage

Where the forest meets the sea by Jeannie Baker

This is an enormous topic. My friend has a terrific Pinterest on this topic and I have one too of illustrators who use collage. Apart from our wonderful Australian illustrator Jeannie Baker,I love the work of Eric Carle; Ed Young; Robin Page; David Wisniewski and Susan L Roth. You may already have a new Australian picture book called Hope is the Thing. And there are so many other names such as Rachel Isadora; Melissa Sweet; Leo Lionni; Ezra Jack Keats; Lois Ehlert; Ellen Stoll Walsh. Another favourite Australian illustrator of mine is Patricia Mullins. I was also delighted to discover this book made with illustrations made from pebbles:

Stepping Stones

8. Reality (illustrations) versus fantasy (text) or illustrations show a fantasy which contrasts with reality.

Drac and the Gremlin by Allan Baillie illustrated by Jane Tanner

Another older example is Kirsty Knows Best illustrated by Anthony Browne. I also thought of Magic Beach by Alison Lester; A House for Wombats by Jane Burrell; Suri's wall by Lucy Estela illustrated by Matt Ottley and When You're Older by Sofie Laguna illustrated by Judy Watson. I recently discovered this old book: Two Little Trains by Margaret Wise Brown illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon. There are sure to be lots more for this category. 

9. Page turner (anticipation and a guessing game)

I went walking by Sue Machin illustrated by Julie Vivas

Eyes in the Dark by Kim Dale; An animal guessing game by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page; Who's Next? Guess Who! by Anton Poitier illustrated by Sophia Touliatou; Animalphabet by Julia Donaldson illustrated by Sharon King-Chai; and for older readers a title from many years ago - Guess What? by Mem Fox illustrated by Vivienne Goodman. I also need to mention What's Inside: The alphabet book by Satoshi Kitamura and Brown Bear Brown bear by Bill Martin Jr illustrated by Eric Carle.

10. Participatory story 

We're going on a bear hunt by Michael Rosen illustrated by Helen Oxenbury

Participation was always the focus of my early weeks with a new Kindergarten group. We read lots of books with a repeated refrain including We're going on a bear hunt; My Brown Bear Barney by Dorothy Butler illustrated by Elizabeth Fuller; There's a Hippopotamus on our Roof eating cake by Hazel Edwards illustrated by Deborah Niland; Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina; Peace at last by Jill Murphy; Owl Babies by Martin Waddell illustrated by Patrick Benson; and The Elephant and the bad baby by Elfrida Vipont illustrated by Raymond Briggs.

11. Leporello

I added this one to the list but I know the author of the thesis enjoys discovering these. You could add tunnel book to this category too. There is one of these inside The Jolly Christmas Postman by Allan Ahlberg. I also have a book based on Can't you sleep little bear by Martin Waddell which you fold out and join into a circle or a carousel. 

Books that have accordion-style, or zig-zagged, pages are called leporellos (or concertinas). These books can be experienced in a few ways: readers can keep the book folded and turn the "pages," flipping the book at the end to experience the other side of the book; or they can completely unfold and expand the book to create one giant, linear narrative. Some leporellos are printed on the front and back, while others are one-sided. Let's Talk about Picture books (you can see examples)

Pages of Look by Gavin Bishop Gecko Press

12. Breaking the fourth wall and the off-stage narrator

This one is also my headings and I talk about this with lots of examples here. Look for Hide me, Kipper! by Mick Inkpen; Let’s Play! by Hervé Tullet; A Squiggly Line by Robert Vescio illustrated by Kathy Creamer; Fish and Crab by Marianna Coppo; Bear Hunt by Anthony Browne; The Dictionary Story by Oliver Jeffers and Sam Winston; Press Here Herve Tullet; and Escargot by Dashka Slater illustrated by Sydney Hanson. Another very curious example is Zoom by Istvan Banyai.

13. A catalogue book

Imagine by Alison Lester

I love this term catalogue book as used by the writer of this thesis. It is a perfect label for so many picture books that have no narrative but are filled with things to talk about. The big question by Leen van den Berg and illustrated by Kaatje Vermeire; Things to Look Forward to by Sophie Blackall; What to say when you don't know what to say by Davina Bell illustrated by Hilary Jean Tapper (and sequels); The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown; Pablo Neruda Book of Questions illustrated by Paloma Valdivia translated by Sara Lissa Paulson; If I had a little dream by Nina Laden illustrated by Melissa Castrillon; and the most obvious example The Baby's Catalogue by Allan Ahlberg.

I need to mention two more titles for this catalogue book category:

Who is the world for?

Do you wonder?

14. Poetry with pictures

Read more here. 

A Life Song

Here is a quote from the final sentence of the thesis which inspired this post (I hope you have found it interesting and useful).

The book features explored in this thesis "support the proposition that the contemporary picture book is a subtle and skillful artform. Artists, authors, publishers and most importantly readers are increasingly aware of this fact. There can be no turning back."

Is it a Book or is it a Plane? by Mike Henson illustrated by Katie Vernon

Is it a Book or is it a Plane? is a perfect text to share with your library group when you introduce the 2025 CBCA slogan. The book itself, in this book, takes the children on an adventure. They use the actual book to act out all these things. It can be an aeroplane, a hat, a monster mask, a pirate ship or the book can take you to the moon. There are flaps to lift; holes to peer through; and pages that you need to turn. This is a brand-new book published just this week May 2025. 

"These pages could be anything! Take another look! One thing's for sure: they're definitely more ... than just a book."

Bookseller blurb: This is not a book. It's a plane! it's a dinosaur! and so much more! Dive into the book that isn't a book and interact with the pages to create exciting new objects and worlds. Fly the book like an aeroplane, wear it like a hat, turn it into a monster mask, transform it into a roaring dinosaur or sail it like a pirate ship!

The 2025 Children's Book Council of Australia slogan is 

Book an Adventure!

My friend from Kinderbookswitheverything and I always try to compile a Pinterest of book and poster ideas to link with the current CBCA slogan.  Take a look here to see our 2025 collection and then plan to come back because this will grow.

Some people call the CBCA slogan a theme but I prefer the term slogan.  

Slogan: a brief attention-getting phrase used in advertising or promotion

Here are some from the past that opened the way to great displays, promotion of reading, a some good discussions.

2020 Curious Creatures, Wild Minds

2019 Reading is My Secret Power

2018 Find Your Treasure

2015 Books light up our world

2013 Read across the Universe

2010 Across the Story Bridge

2009 Book Safari

2008 Fuel Your Mind

2003 Oceans of Stories

1999 Weave the Book Web

1994 Carnival of Books

1993 Go Under Cover

1992 Windows into Worlds

1991 Book into the Future

1990 Imagine if you will….

1989 Dream Time

1988 A Page of History

1987 Sail Away with books

1986 Key Into Books (this was my first ever book week slogan)

1985 Book Banquet

1984 Books Have it Covered   

1976 It’s Reading Time  

1975 Read All About It  

1974 Books for All Seasons  

1963 Make Books Your Friends  

1962 Time to Read   

1960 Treasure from Books  

1945 United Through Books

Searching for Treasure by Johanna Bell illustrated by Emma Long

I have read hundreds or even thousands of books, especially picture books, but every now and then a new book comes along that surprises and completely delights me. The first double spread took my breath away. 

Image source: Larrikin House

Think about all the conversations you could have over this one page - where are they going? who can you see? how do they feel? how do you know this? what do you know about the weather and the season? can you see some things on the edge of the sand near the water? what might they find?

When you walk along a beach you do have to look closely to see all the treasures. This book shows you the treasures in real life sizes, but you are invited to look really closely to discover an interesting science fact about each of these wondrous things. I am so excited to see fingernail shells - I well remember finding these on a beach when I was a very young child. 

So, this could just be a science book about the seashore - but it is so much more. I am not going to spoil the final fold out page but it is sure to delight your young reader and perhaps entice you to take a walk along a nearby beach.

Bookseller blurb: Searching for treasure on the high tide line. One step, two steps, what can you find? A walk on the beach becomes a joyous, creative adventure. What has the sea washed up? Can you find its hidden treasures? Find sea urchins and shark's eggs, ghost crabs and cuttlefish, limpets and barnacles and so much more.

There is an important note on the imprint page - "With thanks to Dr Catherine Cavallo for her marine species expertise." So, you can be assured of the authority of the science facts.

You can share this book with a very young child because the text contains a repeated pattern but an older child is sure to be fascinated by all the tiny details written in tiny italic text beside each treasure.

One step, two steps, what can you find? Searching for treasure on the high tide line. Three steps, four steps, what can you find?

Here are a few 'fun facts':

• The best time to look for shells is after a storm
• Baby sharks are called pups!
• Sponges are animals not plants
• Periwinkles can't swim

Huge congratulations to Allen and Unwin on the book design used for Searching for Treasure. This book has a fold out which I already mentioned but there are also sculptured half pages somewhat like a lift-the-flap. The tide is out on the front end paper and the tide is coming back in on the back end paper. This has huge implications for the final image - oh no!

It is a long way off, but I am going to predict Searching for Treasure will be a CBCA 2026 Notable. Here are some teachers notes. 

I loved that Searching for Treasure has two ways it can be read; large simple text is a prompt to look at the picture and point things out, plus there is small text between the treasures, educational facts winding between the illustrations. These were like hidden treasures in themselves. Little Squirrel's Bookshelf (click this link to see more illustrations inside this book)

The final gatefold is masterful!  The Bottom Shelf

Johanna Bell lives in Tasmania where she writes fiction and runs a community arts business called StoryProjects. Johanna is the author of The Colour Catchers, illustrated by Laura Stitzel and Hope is the Thing, illustrated by Erica Wagner.  

Hope is the Thing

Emma Long is an accomplished artist, exhibiting regularly in group and solo exhibitions across the Northern Territory. Emma lives in Darwin with their husband and four children and continues to work as an illustrator and an art educator. Other books they have illustrated include Diane Lucas and Ben Tyler's Walking in Gagudju Country and Walking the Rock Country in Kakadu.

Open this little book by Jesse Klausmeier illustrated by Suzy Lee

You really can't judge a book by its cover! ... A delightful and timely 

homage to reading and, more, to books themselves. 

Kirkus star review

Why oh why have they let this book go out of print? Open this little book and inside you find a little red book about ladybirds, then there is a little green book about a frog. The little orange book is about a rabbit and the little yellow book has a honey comb cover - wait a minute does each cover give you a clue about the contents?  YES. So this is a book about colours, and books and reading and the fun of discovery inside a book. 

See inside this book here at Seven Impossible Things before Breakfast. Here is a ten minute audio interview with the author.

Here are some ideas for using this book. The author Jessie Klausmeier calls this book a "Russian nesting doll". Here is the book trailer.

The artwork in Open the Little Book is particularly vibrant, which makes perfect sense considering much of the storyline is based on colours. Interestingly, we are used to more subtly coloured drawings from Suzy Lee and the artwork she has created here is a distinct departure from her usual style. But it is a joy to pore over these vivid drawings, there is such intricate detail, each reading becomes a new experience. Library Mice

I thought I had talked about this book previously but I just put it into a post about Suzy Lee. Read more about Suzy and her work on Open this little book here.  

Look carefully at the characters. What is that white rabbit carrying? Well, of course, it is a pocket watch. Is the rabbit carrying the watch when he heads home afterwards? You know, he isn’t. Such a small detail, and yet through it and a myriad of other seemingly minor details, the book takes on another powerful layer of meaning.

The 2024 Children's Book Council of Australia slogan for Book Week is Reading is Magic. Open this little book would be a perfect book to use as you begin to discuss this idea.

Open this little book was the 2014 winner of Please Touch Museum book award: Established in 1985, the Please Touch Museum’s Book Awards have been unique in highlighting some of the best examples of storytelling for young children that help foster a life-long love of reading. All book selections are distinguished in text, illustration and ability to explore and clarify an idea or concept for young children 7 and under.

Other awards

• 2013 Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor for Excellence in Children's Literature
• 2014 Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
• 2013 Huffington Post Best Picture Book of the Year

The best book to pair with Open this little book is one of my all-time favourites:

1 is for One

Who Lives Here by Julia Donaldson illustrated by Rebecca Cobb

 

It is always fun when someone invites you to visit but what would you do if they only told you the street name and not the exact address.

"The houses in South Street all stood in a row. But which how was Dan's house? I just didn't know."

So, the child ventures along the street, with their parent standing by, investigating each house. Number one - no, Number two - no, Number three - no, Number four - no. Does Dan live at Number Five?

Look at the team who have produced this book - Julia Donaldson master storyteller and wrangler of perfect rhyming texts and Rebecca Cobb who does nostalgic, sweet, detailed illustrations and draws the faces of children with so much emotion. Bonus - this book has lift the flap pages, fold out pages and it is made from sturdy paper so it can survive young hands who will read and re-read this treasure.

Julia Donaldson has created another original and entertaining read in rhyming verse and regular rhythm for reading aloud. It has the element of surprise that children love as they lift the flaps or try to guess what could be hiding there. Kids' Book Review

A gently reassuring jaunt, great for those starting school and making new friends, it suggests Donaldson’s knack for catchy rhymes and deeply resonant themes shows no signs of waning. Long may she reign over bedtime. The Guardian

Do you need a Christmas gift for a young child (aged 3+) - go out and grab this book - it is perfect. Take a look at my recent post about Julia Donaldson. 

Very sadly one of our excellent independent bookstores here in Sydney, Australia is set to close before the end of this year. This means all of their stock is now on sale. I have had Who Lives Here on my book wish list for the last few months. Hardcover picture books have become quite expensive but this one was only AUS$28 less my 20% discount. I now have to decide if I will gift this book or keep in on my own shelves.

My friend from Kinderbookswitheverything has a Pinterest of picture books that features houses and homes. Companion books:

Squeak Street (See the full original series here).

It could also be fun to include this book if you are working on a theme of Happy Birthday stories. You could talk about all the details that need to be included on a party invitation. 

The Birthday Invitation

Boxes are fun

 

My Pinterest "Boxes can be fun".

I have talked about boxes and books that feature boxes used for imaginative play in previous posts. This week I borrowed a terrific book from a school library - Box by Min Flyte illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw Nosy Crow (2015) - sorry to say, though, this book is now out of print. 

Bookseller blurb: When four toddlers find some toys in cardboard boxes, they play with them for a while. But, before long, the friends' interest in the toys wanes and their attention turns to the boxes themselves. What could they do with SO many boxes, they wonder?

Thomas has a box. A lovely little box. What do you think is inside his box? 
(lift the flap) It's a drum. Can you guess what he'll do with his drum?

My friend has a tiny new nephew living in London - I do wish I could send the family Box which I thought of after watching a fun family video where this little boy climbs in and out of a box giggling every time he 'surprises' the attentive adults. 

Further evidence that, for young children at least, boxes are gifts that keep on giving. Kirkus

If you work in a preschool boxes and books about boxes could provide weeks of fun for every child. I do hope you might explore this idea. My friend from Kinderbookswitheverything has an enormous collection of books about cardboard boxes. Check out her Pinterest. 

Mouse's Wood by Alice Melvin

See inside this book here

The story follows Mouse, who first ventures out in wintry January to visit his friend Squirrel. Mouse moves on to wake up Hedgehog for the arrival of spring and as he continues along the path in the wood, Mouse’s journey from friend to friend maps out the changes in seasons from January through to December, from picnicking among the bluebells with Mole in May and picking berries with Dormouse in June, to taking refuge in Fox’s cozy caravan as winter draws in. Thames and Hudson

When I saw the inside of this book on the Gleebooks Kids Instagram page I just knew it would be special and that it would be a book I just could not resist adding to my bulging shelves. Yesterday my friend and I spent a fun hour or two exploring the offerings of this splendid Sydney bookstore. We found lots of treasures and of course as you can see from this post I was able to see and then purchase Mouse's Wood.

In her Instagram post the bookseller said:

The trouble with working in a bookshop is I pretty much have a new favourite book Every. Single. Day! So forgive me if you hear me start preaching… “oh, have I shown you my new favourite?"   Which just so happens to be the new @alicemelvin experience, Mouse’s Wood. I am a massive fan of Alice’s work, they are not just beautiful picture books to read and delight in, but a completely immersive experience. The second you step inside any of her gorgeous books, you are transported into an imaginary world through secret little doors and hideaways; so much detail, so many glorious and magical places to visit. In Mouse’s Wood, we go on a journey through the woods to visit Mouse’s many woodland friends, peeking inside their cosy houses and learning about northern hemisphere seasons. Alice spent a year sketching from nature and observing the plants and animals in local habitats resulting in a divine mix of nature and imagination. ... such wonderful paper craft to lift and look behind…so you will just have to pop in to see Alice’s beautiful books in-store. I will be the one holding up this little masterpiece and shouting “oooh, can I show you my new favourite!” 

Oddly when I enquired about this book in the shop yesterday the younger bookseller (not the person who penned this post) had not seen the post about this book. Luckily she quickly located two copies on their shelves.

I agree with the reviewer who said: 

Delightful, whimsical, magically wonderful with secret doors to explore - Alice Melvin has given us a real treat.

Mouse's Wood is perfect for fans of Brambly Hedge and for slightly older readers try to find the Heartwood Hotel four book series by Kallie George illustrated by Stephanie Graegin. 

Alice Melvin's work reminds me of art by the talented Louise Pfanner especially her two books Louise builds a House and Louise Builds a Boat and her sweet book Little Lucie's Diary. 

You can see some of Alice Melvin's work here.  Alice also designs greeting cards (I would love to have some of these). Here are some previous books by Alice Melvin including a set of four board books:

Here is an interview where Alice talks about this book

The Bush Birds by Bridget Farmer

"In among the undergrowth, through the bark and leaves. Looking for an insect meal, I hop and peck, and weave."

The Bush Birds is a beautifully designed Non-Fiction book. The illustrations are scientific but also artistic and at times almost tactile. The restrained colour palette and the pale wash backgrounds are very appealing. The small flaps are perfectly positioned and work really well to reveal the bird’s name and the glossary or bird fact pages give just enough information to satisfy a curious child. The rhyming text works so well in this book as an invitation to lift the flap and solve the puzzle. Nearly all of the twelve featured birds were unknown to me.

Each bird has a little riddle to give you a clue as to what it may be. Children can lift the flap to learn the name of each one. The back of the book includes a snapshot of each bird—a lovely way to introduce children to our native birdlife- perfect for a bushwalk. The illustrations are created from drypoint etchings which have been hand coloured with watercolour paints. Be Curious Books

I need to especially mention the end papers which are filled with gum nuts and leaves in pale olive green and light brown. It is so obvious that Bridget Farmer is a very skilled print maker. 

Spotted Pardalote

Here are a few of the birds you will find inside: White-browed scrubwren; Diamon Firetail; Spotted Pardalote; Golden Whistler and Dusky Woodswallow.  Bridget, who came to Australia from Ireland in 2005,  says: These birds are maybe a bit less well known than the twelve birds in my first book, Kookaburra Kookaburra. But I hope that by interacting with the riddles and illustrations readers will soon familiarise themselves with these beautiful birds and find enjoyment in seeking them out while out on their bushwalks.

This book would make a beautiful gift for a young bird enthusiast and I would also add this book to any parcel of books you might send to a friend or relative living overseas. 

The Bush Birds is a 2022 Eve Pownall (Non Fiction) Notable book. Bridget Farmer has a web site where you can see more of her work. You can see inside The Bush Birds here. Read more about many of the CBCA 2022 Notables here. 

Bridget Farmer previously published this book about our special bird - the kookaburra:

Spot by Eric Hill - Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday

Today I read that Spot just turned 40! I can hardly believe this little pup is so old. Luckily for all readers he never ages - Spot will always be a little mischievous pup with beautiful patient parents (Sally and Sam) and very special friends.

When Christopher was two, Eric made up a story to read to him at bedtime about a small puppy. The extraordinary success of Where's Spot?, published in 1980, gave Eric Hill the confidence to work full-time as an author. The second title, Spot's first Walk, was published a year later. The publishing phenomenon that is Spot was born! There are over 40 million books in print read by children in more than 100 countries. The adventures of Spot have been translated into 65 languages … Penguin 

Here is Eric Hill reading his book on the occasion of the 30th anniversary. Here is a review from the Bottom Shelf which contains a video of Kathy Lette reading Where's Spot. The Penguin Random House website lists 42 Spot books.  The new 40th Anniversary edition has a beautiful ruby foil cover. Here are a few more titles from the Spot series:

Eric Hill was born in London in 1927. He moved to Arizona in 1983 and he died at the age of 86 in 2014. The Spot stories were made into a series of television shows and even a live theatre production.

I often think someone could write a PhD thesis on the universal appeal of Spot.  Those flaps and voices are just magic when you read to a child - mysterious magic!