Booklist praises the “charming thoughtfulness” and “solid grasp of children’s emotional reality” in starred review of Steve Teare’s SIXTEEN GAMES OF HIDE AND SEEK

★ Sixteen Games of Hide and Seek. STARRED REVIEW

By Stephen Barr. Illus. by Steve Teare

May 2026. 48p. Holiday/Neal Porter. PreS–Gr. 1

“It’s a rainy day, and Ro is stuck at home; what else is there to do but play hide-and-seek? Ro introduces himself (that’s him, behind the houseplant, in game 1) and his dad in a variety of rounds as he tries to find good hiding spots—some more successful than others (like under the rug, game 8). Ro’s conversational narration easily moves through his many emotions, from initial excitement about hiding to frustration when he’s too easy to find to the thrill of discovering the absolute perfect spot. As he waits (in game 12), a noisy thunderstorm brews outdoors, and suddenly the perfect hiding spot starts to feel very lonely indeed. Barr’s straightforward text nicely captures a childlike tone and touches on elements that will surely be familiar to parents and kids—like when Dad gets distracted and forgets to seek (game 10). Teare’s artwork perfectly accentuates the emotional beats with thoughtful use of color: warm washes of yellows and pinks give the house an undeniably cozy feel, especially in contrast to the thunderstorm, which looms heavily in dusky blues and shadowy black. After some comforting reassurances (and finding a popsicle hiding in the back of the freezer, game 13) Ro feels settled again—and ready for another round. With charming thoughtfulness and a solid grasp of children’s emotional reality, Barr and Teare give a ubiquitous game a surprising, delightful depth.”

—Booklist Reviews