Have You Seen Axel? by Adam Jay Epstein, illustrations by Ruth Chan

Have You Seen Axel?  by Adam Jay Epstein, illustrations by Ruth Chan
Publisher:  Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publishing:  October 20th, 2026
Format Read:  Hardcover
Number of pages:   32 pages
Source:  Publisher in exchange for an honest review
Opening Line:  "Before we start our look and find, we need to pick someone to find."

Have You Seen Axel? begins with a narrator choosing Gordon as the character readers must find.  Suddenly, Axel the axolotl decides that it is her turn to hide instead.  The problem is that Axel is a little too good at hiding and becomes impossible to find.  With a bit of coaching from the narrator, she learns how to make herself easier to spot.  Before long, however, Axel grows tired of being the star of the story and declares that she's done playing.  The narrator isn't ready to give up quite so easily and soon discovers that they have a lesson to learn about manners and respecting boundaries.    

A companion to Have You Seen Gordon?,  this humorous seek-and-find book features a main character who is almost too talented at hide-and-seek.  Each double-page spread is packed with animals and activity in settings such as a grocery store, a park, a swimming pool and even a planetarium.  There is plenty to explore on every page. Readers can count the number of ducks on a pond, play a game of I spy, search for humorous details hidden in the illustrations, like someone slipping on cans in the grocery store.  Or simply enjoy describing the zany and chaotic scenes on the page.

Beneath the humor, the story offers a thoughtful message about personal boundaries and the importance of speaking up when something doesn't feel right.  The engaging seek-and-find elements makes for an entertaining and interactive read-aloud.