NO DODOS

This British artist's first book has two distinctions: striking torn-paper collages, handsomely set on royal blue or black and bordered in harmonious geometric designs, representing ``1/one whale,'' ``2/two tigers,'' and so on; and an inspired inclusion that relates to both her theme and an important number concept usually omitted from counting books: after ``10,'' a spread reading simply ``0...but no dodos''—and no picture, either. The dodo does appear on a final spread where the images of the animals are repeated with a brief text on the different reasons for their endangered status. Good idea, nicely developed; attractive book. (Picture book. 3-6)