Science writer Markle gives readers a peek into the growth and development of baby giant pandas from birth to about one year of age. With the counting premise of the title and the amazing photographs taken at China’s Wolong Giant Panda Breeding Center (in 2005, 16 panda cubs were raised there), the focus is truly on the images. Young readers may be surprised by the appearance of a newborn panda cub, with its six-inch body, pink skin and tightly shut eyes. With each page turn, the pandas grow a little bigger and are able to do more things, many of them things that human babies do too. In the course of learning about baby pandas, young readers count from one to eight, the numeral and word accompanying each picture. The final picture asks, “How many baby pandas live wild and free?” bringing Markle’s conservation message to the forefront. A final spread includes more facts, a glossary/index, information about the Wolong Center, a map of the panda’s habitat and a list of sources for further information. A solid introduction to an endangered species. (Informational picture book. 3-8)
