This would would be ADORABLE in an in person storytime. I mean, all of the animals that appear determined to have a staring contest with us, the reader. But it's harder than it looks.....except for one animal.

But without kiddos around, the interactive factor is gone and while the illustrations are SO lovely, it just is not enough to make it a favorite. ( )

I can do it, I can. I can stare and not blink through this entire review. The eyes get dry, and the lids start to quiver. Can you do it? Can you make it to the end of the book without blinking? Hummmmmm. Such a clever idea and such fun illustrations. I want some to put on my wall please. ( )

play a game with a book, or characters in the book ( )

A young girl initiates a staring contest with the reader/listener in this meta-fictional picture-book, involving an ever-growing coterie of animal companions in the contest as the narrative progresses. Every creature seems to want in on the contest, and the girl instructs each not to blink - but can they keep their eyes open? Who will win the contest, in the end?

I got a kick out of Don't Blink!, which reminded me of staring contests I would get into with my sisters as a girl. The narrative breaks the fourth wall, as the girl directly addresses the reader, in issuing her challenge, and this provides a measure of interactive fun, as many young children will no doubt try to follow the command issued in the title. I found the premise here amusing, and I also enjoyed Tom Booth's artwork, which reminded me a bit of the illustrations of Jon Klassen. Perhaps the color palette? Whatever the case may be, the visuals here were quite appealing ( )