Teaching children about opposites isn’t always straight forward. While some opposites are easy to demonstrate – such as turning a light ‘on’ and ‘off’, others such as ‘first’ and ‘last’ are trickier.

Opposites, by husband-and-wife team PatrickGeorge is a clever book for pre-schoolers about opposites with a sensational visual twist. Using double page spreads and acetate pages, readers flip the acetate page back and forth to reveal the opposite. For example, a big ball larger than a child becomes a small ball held between a thumb and forefinger when the acetate page is turned. Likewise, the ‘first’ person standing in the queue for a bus becomes the last when the page is turned.

The graphic design in this book is strong, bold and visually appealing – it’s so simple and clear that the illustrations almost have the look of signage. I particularly love the ‘Land’ and ‘Sea’ spread as well as the beach umbrella that turns into a rain umbrella for ‘Sun’ and ‘Rain’.

Kids will be intrigued by the obvious, playful element of Opposites – I’ve watched my own children turn the acetate pages slowly, then quickly, then slowly again, not getting tired of making a ‘new’ picture appear (especially putting the owl ‘In’ and ‘Out’ of his cage).

Opposites is available at Fishpond for $8.97 including delivery.