In 2012 I reviewed Janik Coat’s brilliant HIPPOPPOSITES. Almost ten years later, I am thrilled to be reviewing a new addition to what is now referred to as the Grammar Zoo! With each book, Coat delivers crisply designed, playfully illustrated, elegantly engaging board books where animals exemplify aspects of grammar, from opposites to rhyming words (RHYMOCEROS) to homophones (LLAMAPHONES). The board book format also allows for magical, textural extras ranging from faux fur (which can be found inlaid on the "softer" page seen below) to sparkles, gold and silver foil, moveable clock hands, liftable flaps, bumps, lines and textures that imitate sand, flour, clouds and mist. Word pairs that illustrate the concept of the book appear on two page spreads. Coat’s choices, both of word pairs and how to illustrate them, are always creative, inspiring multiple readers in one sitting. After thirteen years of reviewing children’s books (and a recent move that required an intense culling of my collection) the books in the Grammar Zoo series are the ONLY board books I have kept – because of the delight that reading each book brings along with the deep appreciation I have for superb design of each book. Like I said in my review of HIPPOPPOSITES, if you want to give a baby shower or birthday gift that will stand out and be treasured forever, give any (or all!) of the Grammar Zoo books!