There are some cognitive benefits to playing hiding games. Peekaboo makes babies giggle but also teaches them the concept of object permanence; that things can still exist even though they might not be able to see them. Searching for objects or people encourages children to use their imagination and helps them develop problem-solving skills as they try to work out the best place to hide or find their target. I’m guessing you will hear your own voice kindly and patiently calling “Where are you? I can’t find you…..am I getting close?”
Our sweet, innocent Fergus continues to play, using various choices for hiding places, and working to improve his strategy. This is such a delightful introduction to the long-standing diversion of hide-and-seek.
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Fergus is a bear who is very, very bad at hiding.
FIND FERGUS
Mike Boldt – Author and Illustrator
Your children will giggle from start to finish as they follow huge, loveable Fergus and see all the many ways in which he is TERRIBLE at playing hide-and-seek.
He stands behind a VERY tiny tree… “Found you, Fergus! That was too easy!”.
“Oh, Fergus. Start by hiding in a crowd.“ So, Fergus hides next to duck and a fox, who don’t seem impressed. “A crowd is more than THREE, Fergus!” ……..“Try bears, Fergus. Bears!”.
But wait! The game isn’t over yet! The last two pages fold out into a giant panoramic look-and-find scene, where Fergus is well and truly hidden, and our young readers will have fun looking for him and lots of other details in the the crowd. There are hours and hours of reading fun in this adorable book. Yes, we will be reading this gem over and over again.
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Playing hide-and-seek is a traditional part of all of our childhoods and with the benefits it gives growing children, it’s a tradition that should be carried on into the future.
So close your eyes, count to ten and, ready or not, here they come!
