Stripes and Spots is a children’s book written by author and artist, Dahlov Ipcar. It is a large hardcover book filled with whimsical illustrations and text. Ms. Ipcar began her career in the 1940s, when she was given the opportunity to illustrate a book by Margaret Wise Brown called The Little Fisherman. She continues to write and illustrate books to this day. In 2010, she released her first new book in years. Ms. Ipcar has written many books, including Stripes and Spots, Wild Animal Alphabet, and Hardscrabble Harvest. Stripes and Spots was originally published in 1961 and dedicated to her mother, also an artist. It has most recently been rereleased by Islandport Press, located in Maine, where Ms. Ipcar lives.

Stripes and Spots tells the story of a young tiger and a young leopard, living in the jungle with their respective families. One morning, they both awaken very hungry and start out on their own for the first time, in order to find something to eat. They soon meet each other, and have an adventure together hunting for something with stripes for the tiger to eat and something with spots for the leopard to eat.

This is a wonderful picture book that would fit into any home. Ms. Ipcar is a favorite author here, given her ties to Maine. Close to where I live, there is actually an elementary school that has a fantastic mural, painted on its walls by Ms. Ipcar. Her illustrations, while whimsical, are extremely well done and would make a good art study tie-in. The text is simple enough for an emerging reader, and enjoyable enough to be used as a read aloud. I found Stripes and Spots extremely well done, and one I am very glad to have in our home. My children, aged 8 and 11, enjoyed the reading of it as well. I would recommend adding it to any home library.

Product Review by Lisa Berry, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, July, 2012