Mies Van Hout

Playful illustrations in brilliant colors depict charming, expressive, almost childlike but recognizable animals. Numerals accompanied by one word on each sturdy, double-page spread encourage counting from 1 belly (on a teddy bear) to an alligator’s 10 teeth. An endnote offers concrete ideas for adults to encourage counting beyond the pages of this engaging book.

Unique and quite handsome fish in this small, sturdy edition present a range of emotions accompanied by sophisticated descriptive word — sure to encourage conversation with young children.

A tadpole, a snail, a squirrel and other creatures each ask, “who is my daddy?” The reader then must decide which of 4 choices, but another page turn pictures the adult critter with its offspring. Colorful, child-like, and slightly abstract illustrations are presented on sturdy pages.