COUNTING WITH OWL AND BIRD

Another well-designed concept book featuring the two slightly bemused friends.

Owl and Bird return this time for a counting walk. The slight story opens with Owl, carrying an open umbrella, and Bird on the teal-blue left-hand page and an invitation to readers to “help them count the things they see.” On the opposite, sky-blue page they count “1 / One rainbow.” Then Owl’s umbrella becomes a prop for Bird to perch on or for Owl to use to point out the next object to be counted. This pattern continues until the final spread, when Owl counts 12 stars on the sky-blue left before the story ends with “Good night, Owl and Bird” on the night-blue right. Every other page presents just the numeral within a circle, and the number and name of what is to be counted. The sans-serif white font displays cleanly against the blue backgrounds. Whimsical details in the illustrations (Owl’s pink rain boots, the two flamingos’ hats) do not distract from the primary goal of counting. And there is always the little white Bird to find. Despite the increasing number of objects per page, the design remains uncluttered and focused. Smaller objects are featured as their numbers increase, so there are three kites and five airplanes but eight spiders, 10 bumblebees, and 11 leaves. Finding the ninth apple is a bit challenging. (It’s under Owl’s wing.)

Great for toddlers who are practicing counting.