DOGGY KISSES 123

Parr brings his signature, toddler-friendly style to two of kids’ favorite things: counting and puppies.

This simple counting book written in rhyme features 10 different displays of doggy devotion. Take, for example: “One silly doggy kiss / on the head. // Two cuddly doggy kisses / when in bed.” A short snatch of text and a large numeral appear on the left-hand page with a complementary illustration on the right. The chunky black lines that outline the drawings and numerals make each element pop out dramatically against the solid backgrounds of vibrant hues —often yellow, red and bright blue. The illustrations are composed of simple, childlike renderings of widely smiling children and puckering pups of all shapes, sizes and colors. The final spread provides a nice opportunity for review, showcasing as it does the numerals 1 through 10 accompanied by their adorable doggies and a brief description of their kisses. The rhyming verses don’t exactly trip off the tongue, but kids aren’t likely to mind, focused as they’ll be on counting the pooches’ smooches. Sturdy, glossy pages will stand up to multiple readings—and a fair amount of slobber.

Silly, sweet and simple, this counting primer is a great choice for solo exploration or group sharing in a doggy-themed storytime.