Review Detail

NO PEEKING AT PRESENTS is a cute holiday picture book about patience and family. It's Christmas Eve and 3 siblings are settling down to sleep. The oldest one reminds the two younger siblings that there is no peeking at presents before their parents wake up. However, at 3 am, they awake to hear a squeaking sound and head downstairs to investigate - only for the older sibling to remind them not to peek and bring them back to bed. As the night continues, they are repeatedly awoken by the squeaking sound and headed off - until the older sibling hears it and goes to investigate. They remind him of the no peeking rule, but it turns out that the present was peeking at them first - a puppy!

What I loved: This is a cute story that captures the fun of siblinghood and the excitement of Christmas morning. The book is told through the dialogue of the siblings, which adds to the fun of their confusion and persistence. Each page features plenty of details and color, and it really brings the sound of the squeaking alive through the use of word art. The final resolution is endearing and plenty of fun with the unexpected gift they all find.

The font is large, clear, and easy to read. It works best if caregivers use voices to distinguish the siblings when reading, as there are no additional context words included. The brightly colored images and Christmas themes are present throughout, really capturing all the excitement of the holiday on each page.

Final verdict: NO PEEKING AT PRESENTS is a sweet picture book about Christmas, excitement, and siblinghood that ends up being a silly and charming read.