Is this the same book as 'Peek-a-Poo'?

No. Peek-a-Poo (also by Van Genechten) is about a mouse looking into animals' diapers to see their poop. This book, Peek-a-Boo!, is strictly about the game of hide-and-seek with stuffed animals. Check the cover carefully!

Are there flaps to lift in this book?

While the story is 'interactive' in its pacing and questions, it is a standard board book format. It relies on the page-turn for the 'peek-a-boo' reveal rather than physical paper flaps that can be torn off by enthusiastic toddlers.

What is the reading level for this book?

This is a 'read-to-me' book. The vocabulary is simple, but it's designed for an adult to lead the session. For a child reading independently, it's roughly at a Pre-K or Kindergarten level.

Is it too babyish for a 5-year-old?

Most 5-year-olds will find it very simple and might breeze through it in a minute. It's best as a 'helper' book where the 5-year-old 'reads' it to a younger sibling.

Peek-a-Boo! – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Peek-a-Boo!

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book

89%

WISE Score

Drew and his stuffed animals squeeze under blankets and behind curtains, turning a standard board book into a physical game of hide-and-seek.

Peek-a-Boo!

book

89%

WISE Score

Drew and his stuffed animals squeeze under blankets and behind curtains, turning a standard board book into a physical game of hide-and-seek.

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Where to Read

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Screenwise Verdict

Guido Van Genechten is a pro at this level of storytelling, and Peek-a-Boo! is a textbook example of a 'quiet' book that still manages to be engaging. It doesn't rely on flashy gimmicks; it just leans into the universal toddler obsession with things disappearing and reappearing.

It's a great addition to the 'Reading Rope'—the idea that literacy isn't just decoding words, but understanding narrative and vocabulary through listening. If you need a five-minute read that won't fry your kid's brain before a nap, this is a solid pick.

Age Fit

This is squarely for the 18-month to 4-year-old crowd. It's simple enough for a toddler to follow but interactive enough to keep a preschooler engaged during a bedtime wind-down.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It is a gentle, low-stimulation board book about hide-and-seek. No conflict, just cozy stuffed animals and a relatable kid protagonist.

Imaginative

While hide-and-seek is a standard trope, the book encourages toddlers to translate the reading experience into physical play and curiosity about their own surroundings.

Safe

100

Zero content risks. It is a physical board book for toddlers with zero ads, tracking, or mature themes.

Enriching

Builds the language comprehension strand of literacy through interactive read-alouds and vocabulary related to spatial awareness (behind, under).

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Interactive pacing that mirrors the real-life rhythm of a toddler's favorite game.
High-contrast, simple illustrations by Guido Van Genechten that help younger eyes track the action without being overstimulating.
Social-emotional bonding through the read-aloud format, which is basically the gold standard for early literacy development.
Sturdy board book construction from Clavis, which usually survives the 'chewing and throwing' phase of toddlerhood.

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What to Watch For

The title is nearly identical to the author's other book, Peek-a-Poo, which is about a mouse looking in diapers. Make sure you're buying the hide-and-seek one if you aren't currently potty training.

Conversation Starters

"Where is the bear hiding on this page?"
"If we played hide-and-seek in this room, where would you hide?"
"Do you think Drew is under the blanket or behind the curtain?"
"Which stuffed animal would be the best at hiding?"

Deep Dive

The Hide-and-Seek Hook

There is a reason Peek-a-Boo! works so well for the 2-to-5 age range: it’s a simulation of one of the first social games humans learn. Guido Van Genechten, a Belgian author-illustrator who has basically mastered the art of the 'toddler take,' uses Drew and his stuffed animals to walk kids through spatial concepts. When Drew hides behind a curtain, your kid isn't just looking at a picture; they're learning about object permanence and prepositions.

Literacy Beyond the Page

At Screenwise, we often talk about the Reading Rope. While this book won't teach your kid to decode 'supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,' it is doing heavy lifting in the language comprehension strand. By following a simple narrative arc—the search, the suspense, and the 'found you!'—toddlers are building the background knowledge and syntax they'll need for more complex books later.

The Guido Van Genechten Factor

Van Genechten's style is recognizable for its thick lines and clear, expressive characters. It’s the antithesis of the hyper-detailed, neon-colored chaos you find in some modern 'brain rot' apps. It’s meant to be read slowly. The interactive nature mentioned in the synopsis refers to the 'peek-a-boo' rhythm of the pages, encouraging you to pause and ask 'Where's Drew?' before turning the page. It’s a low-tech, high-connection experience that fits perfectly into an intentional media diet.

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