Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature)
The argument of two unseen characters forms the basic text of this examination of the classic optical illusion of the head that can be a duck or a rabbit. Each commentator is certain of his position, with one pointing out the duck's bill and the other insisting, "Those are ears, silly." The central double-page image never changes, but objects may be added around it. On one page, a piece of bread appears on the left as the "duck prepares to eat it with its bill.” On the next, the "rabbit" is about to eat a carrot on the right. On the following spread, "Quack" issues from the duck, while the other character hears the "rabbit sniff." Tall greenery next obscures the same creature, but is he wading through the swamp or hiding in the grass? Is he flying or hopping on the following pages? Is he cooling his ears or drinking? When the next double-page appears empty, each narrator accuses the other of scaring him away. Then they reconsider…until another debatable creature arrives. The very simple representations are framed and created with thick black ink lines, watercolors, and "a wee bit of colored pencil." They maintain the ambiguity reinforced by the arguing text. The reader is challenged to perceive both possible creatures while figuring out how they can co-exist. Clouds in nebulous shapes including duck and rabbit float across the end pages. Emphasizing the comic ambiguity, the back cover features the comment, "Hey, look! A zebra!” alongside an animal whose body is the bar code. Or is it a horse? 2009, Chronicle Books, $16.99. Ages 3 to 8.

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, March 1, 2009 (Vol. 77, No. 5))
The art of optical illusions provides creative fodder for young guessing-game enthusiasts. In this modern twist on a classic form, two unseen characters' cheerful banter provides clues to an unknown object's identity. Each tries to persuade the other to see his or her version of the picture; their interactions' brevity provide a subtle charm. "Here, look at my duck through my binoculars." "Sorry, still a rabbit." The central character in this slight story is Lichtenheld's ink, watercolor and colored-pencil art. Two laid-back, parallel rabbit ears—or a duck's bill depending on the reader's focus—serve as the dominant image against the soft blue background, occupying the center of the composition even as its context changes. Thick black outlines perfectly complement the solid illustration within; its observant single eye seamlessly appears to look in opposite directions. The images displayed are also reflected in the endpaper's billowy clouds, providing a whimsical touch. Once youngsters solve this puzzle, they'll be clamoring for the next. Now is that a brachiosaurus or an anteater? 2009, Chronicle, 40p, $16.99. Category: Picture book. Ages 5 to 8. © 2009 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Amanda Jones (Library Media Connection, August 2009)
This sweet silly picture book is a play on the optical illusion that the character either looks like a duck or rabbit depending upon how one focuses on the image. On each page two voices try to convince each other that the image is a duck or rabbit. They point out the duck bill and the rabbit ears. They say he is hopping or flying. For kids who have trouble seeing the two animals, one of the last pages completes the illusion to look like both animals. The book ends with a new optical illusion that can be either brontosaurus or anteater. Children will delight in the argument between the two voices and love the drawings. The illustrations are simple and bright. This book will be great fun to share as a library or classroom read-aloud. Recommended. 2009, Chronicle Books, 40pp., $16.99 hc.

Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, Fall 2009)
It's a duck. No, it's a rabbit. While two offstage narrators argue, readers can decide what the central figure in each double-page spread actually is. Rosenthal's skillfully written banter is heightened by Lichtenheld's simple ink, watercolor, and colored-pencil illustrations of the white duck-rabbit figure outlined in thick black line and silhouetted against a bright blue sky. A great brainteaser and great fun. Category: Picture Books. 2009, Chronicle, 32pp, 16.99. Ages 4 to 9. Rating: 2: Superior, well above average.