THE TWELVE DAYS OF SUMMER

A clever variant of "The Twelve Days of Christmas": a little girl sees, on successive days at the beach, a grand accumulation of animals including "Four pipers running,/Three jellyfish,/Two pelicans,/And a little purple sea anemone." Under water, in the air, and on the beach, all are there to be counted. The sprightly text is nicely matched by the cheerful illustrations, showing a sturdy, busy child plus animals with an unusual amount of verve. (Picture book. 3-8)