Look Closely: Finding Wonder In Small Details
Keep your eyes open as you turn the pages of Hollis Saves Halloween. Hidden somewhere on every two-page spread is a little lizard who never says a word. He’s not part of the story. He’s just a quiet observer, simply watching what unfolds. Sometimes Lizard is easy to spot, sometimes you must search.
At first, when you’re reading this book with your child, simply enjoy the story. But on your third or fourth read, invite your child to start looking (unless they’ve already begun their own lizard hunt!).
Try asking an inviting question like:
- “I wonder where little Lizard is on this page?”
- Or offer a clue: “Take a look next to the tree. What do you see?”
You might even make a little game of it. Maybe you look on one spread, and your child searches the next.
Why the Little Lizard Matters
Finding this hidden friend turns storytime into a fun, engaging hunt and brings surprising benefits for growing minds. Here’s why looking for Lizard is more than just a game:
👀 Builds Observation Skills
Focused searching draws your child’s attention to small details and visual clues. These skills support reading, math, and real-world problem-solving.
🗣️ Boosts Language
Talking about where Lizard is hiding (e.g., “He’s under the table!” or “Next to the tree!”) helps grow spatial vocabulary and sentence-building.
🦎 Encourages Storytelling
Kids start wondering: What’s Lizard up to? Imagining his mini-adventures builds creativity and narrative skills.
🧠 Grows Focus
When Lizard is hard to find, kids learn persistence, which is a big win for attention spans.
💬 Invites Connection
Sharing the hunt for Lizard brings smiles, wonder, and moments of lighthearted connection between you and your child.
Even though little Lizard isn’t part of the main story, he’s doing important work in the background—helping children and their grown-ups look closely, wonder freely, and imagine together.
Michelle Buvala, B.ED., the art director for The Small-Tooth-Dog Publishing Group, wrote this parenting resource and teacher guide. Art by Raissa Thomas.
📘 Learn more about Hollis Saves Halloween at smalltoothdog.com/hollis.
