Publisher’s synopsis: What’s in my mama’s purse? Much more than bandages and bananas! You won’t believe your eyes because so much fun hides in my mama’s purse. From a yellow moose and a caboose made of juice to a trout and numbers to count, mama’s purse is full of super silly surprises. You’ll never guess what zooms out next!

My take: A.J. Irving, a Boise mother of two preschoolers, has released a picture book titled “Mama’s Purse.” The title alone conjures memories our own childhoods and the delights we were sure were hidden in mama’s purse. A.J. touches a familiar chord in every child.

The book is sure to delight your preschooler. The rhymes are creative and fun, and the pictures are fantastic. There is a lot of energy in the book. The brightly colored visuals zooming up, down and across the pages will delight the child with whom you are sharing the book.

As with all good picture books, the illustrations are a huge part of the appeal. Rick Thomson’s talented pictures make the text come to life. A.J. also stirs children’s imaginations by suggesting that if they take a peek in their mama’s purse — but be sure to ask permission first! — they might also find surprises.

This is a creative book you’ll read aloud time and time again — until your toddler memorizes it and begins to read it back to you.

My rating: 4 out of 5. The rhythm falters here and there, which breaks up the cadence as you read aloud.