Beginning with “one sweet smile” peeking out from a warm and cozy crib, a mother and child number all the things, from one to ten, that it takes to make up “one beautiful baby.” Whether it is begging for a bite of “three big bananas”; tossing “four clean diapers” off the changing table; or licking “ten sticky fingers” after a feast of “nine juicy strawberries,” mother and baby turn a simple outing into a fun counting game. Pastel drawings on textured paper are rendered in a soft palette, drawing the eyes in close to look for the sometimes-hard-to-find numbered objects. Young and older readers alike may need some help to find the nine tiny strawberries or counting the baby’s babbles, but the close scrutiny will only make readers appreciate the delightful drawings that accompany the simple text. Counting has never been such a delight. (Picture book. 1-3)
