Ssshhhh! Book Review: Keep Our Secrets by Jordan Crane

During our first read of Keep Our Secrets, the number of times “This is so cool” was uttered easily outnumbered the pages of this inventive board book.  Admittedly, I did a lot of the uttering, but my 4 and 6 year olds were equally mesmerized.

This is no ordinary children’s book, and it’s certainly not something I’ve seen before.  At first glance, the sticker on the cover stating “FOR BEST RESULTS READ THIS BOOK WITH A HAIRDRYER (AND ADULT SUPERVISION)” is a little disconcerting.

Turns out that Keep Our Secrets, by novelist and comic creator Jordan Crane, is printed with heat-sensitive, color-changing in various locations on each page.  The effect is downright magical.  The story follows a boy and girl’s graphic journey through a regular world, full of very unexpected secrets, such as a ribcage of canaries and a very clever take on a case full of “leaves”.  Sssshhhh!  I shouldn’t give away too much ~ it’s too much fun to find out for yourself!

Published by McSweeney’s McMullens, Keep Our Secrets, is not just for kids.  The humor is dark and dry.  It was over my girls’ heads in all the right places, but they laughed in several places.  My six year old did choose the tree that “bleeds real blood if you cut it,” which a heart and veins, as her favorite illustration, but it is in no way gory; it’s actually quite beautiful.  I might agree with the choice, but there are so many cleverly detailed images to choose from!

While the back cover suggests the images can be revealed by rubbing them, it takes a lot of effort for each one, and there are plenty.  This can result in frustration for tiny hands (and mine too), so I do recommend the hairdryer technique for more instant gratification.  Although my hands have been known to be cold, and Mr. Crane seems to have less trouble on his adorable tutorial:

For best effects, I strongly advise following the author’s advice and reading in a whisper.  Get in on the secrets, they’re too stunning not to share!