In

Toddler to K—A pensive boy declares, "I only want to stay in./In my pajamas./Inside./In. In. In." He is content to play with his small toy giraffe and his big imagination. A wicker laundry basket has the possibilities to become a rocket ship to "innerspace," a hot-air balloon, or a simple reading space. He explores all the ways he can be in, like milk in tea and reading books in laps. Soon in leads to out via playing in the rain to the joy of outdoor exploration: "Now I only want to/stay out./Outside. Outdoors./Out. Out. Out." Among the trees he waits to see owls. The day comes to a close, and it's time again to be in, now in a nice warm bed. Junior ornithologists are rewarded at the book's end with an illustrated map of the owls featured within; it identifies 35 varieties. The distinct illustrations are constructed with black cut paper against white and yellow, creating a clean and appealing result.