Book Review of Can You Find Steve?
The Children’s Book Review
Can You Find Steve?
Written by Highlights Press
Illustrated by Sebastian Abboud
Ages: 4-8 | 40 Pages
Publisher: Highlights Press (2026) | ISBN: 978-1-63962-494-2
What to Expect: Humor, search-and-find puzzles, friendship, competition, dinosaurs, and ducks.
An expert hider named Steve and his clumsy dinosaur neighbor, Hank, challenge readers to a series of increasingly difficult search-and-find puzzles.
Steve is a legendary duck and master of disguise who prides himself on being the ultimate king of hide-and-seek. Despite his initial protests, Steve allows his enthusiastic but snack-obsessed dinosaur neighbor, Hank, to join the game. As the rounds progress, the difficulty ramps up with color changes, shrinking targets, and a multitude of “distractor ducks” designed to trick the eye. Readers must navigate these playful obstacles to find the duo before Steve’s competitive nature leads him to a dark and mysterious final hiding spot.
Conversational and highly engaging, the writing often breaks the fourth wall, addressing the reader directly through a humorous dynamic between the serious, competitive Steve and the goofy, well-meaning Hank. This dialogue-driven approach creates a lively narrative that goes beyond a standard search-and-find book, incorporating comedic timing and a clear storyline highlighting themes of friendship and patience.
The pages are filled with photography and digital art that feature piles of real-world items, such as toys, beads, and googly eyes. The visual experience is a bright, colorful, and masterful collaboration, blending Sebastian Abboud’s illustrations with a detailed environment created by Photoshop artist Don Hill. Under the art direction of Alice Seiler and editing of Madison Gepper, the team has produced vibrant, intentionally cluttered scenes that provide a genuine challenge for young “detectives.”
Can You Find Steve? is a clever, interactive experience that is bound to keep kids engaged for a long time. Children who enjoy humor, competitive play, and detailed artwork are sure to enjoy this book, as will parents looking for an engaging read-aloud that encourages observation and laughter—highly recommended!
