LET’S COUNT THE PUPPIES

Plump Labrador retriever puppies are the starring characters in this counting book with a determinedly cheery text and photographs of the appealing dogs from a single puppy waving a paw up to 12 pups posed on a bench. The design includes simple declarative sentences and questions intended to engage the child, an extra-large type size, and the corresponding numeral for each spread incorporated into the layout in both small, brightly colored type and a huge, pastel version under the words. The quality of the photographs varies: some of the puppies don’t look too happy in their poses, some look ready for a nap, and a couple of them are difficult to see in group shots. An author’s note includes additional photos of more puppies in the style of a family scrapbook. The crowded counting arena offers more successful choices from a pedagogical standpoint, but lab lovers may consider this a sweet treat. (Picture book. 2-4)