123 Dream

June 27, 2016
In a companion to ABC Dream, published earlier this year, Krans counts to 20 using meticulously detailed ink and watercolor drawings of wild animals and objects, including four foxes, nine narwhals, 14 feathers, and 17 salamanders. Each numeral appears in bold black print, but the pages are otherwise wordless, creating a subtle guessing game involving what is meant to be counted (four rabbits appear for the number eight—it’s their ears that need counting). A closing spread lists additional items that readers can look back through the pages to locate, offering additional opportunities to engage with the natural settings Krans evocatively draws. Ages 3–7. Agent: Meg Thompson, Thompson Literary.

June 1, 2016
What do letters, numbers, and animals have in common? They are all in this book!Woodland, jungle, and seashore inhabitants are the focus of this evocative ink-and-watercolor collection built around consonance and counting. Realistic, printlike illustrations depict numerals from one through 10 along with animals or plants of appropriate number and whose names begin with the same letter or letters--one owl is followed by two turtles that are followed by three thistles, and so on. There is no text beyond the large numerals, one per double-page spread; the book encourages conversation between children and adults. Both the expected (four foxes) and unexpected (nine narwhals) are present, and young readers will enjoy identifying the animals themselves after realizing the pattern that's present. Color is used minimally but thoughtfully to frame or highlight different elements of the illustration, such as the numbers or animals inside. While not an entirely original idea, this concept book introduces numbers and words in a manner that is clearly defined and extremely appealing; each spread is full of detail and a feast for the eyes. Children and adults alike will appreciate the striking illustrations and may even decide to extend their new knowledge of alliteration beyond the final pages. A visual celebration of alliteration! (Picture book. 3-7)

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September 1, 2016

PreS-Gr 1-In this companion to her ABC Dream, Krans tackles the concept of numbers, using her deft pen and ink washed with watercolor to draw the intricate scenes. Each spread features a numeral along with a matching quantity of flora or fauna for readers to count. The objects in the drawings begin with the first letters of the number they represent. Three delicate thistles and five fish lead the way to some brain teasers-there are only four rabbits on the page devoted to the number eight, but savvy readers will figure out soon enough how many ears the critters have among them. And who could have known that 10 trees positioned just right can create a whole forest? The numbers 12 and 13 share a spread full of toads and roses. And the final pages offer some more opportunities for looking. Learning to count is a great accomplishment for children; this title will delight long after the skill is secure. VERDICT An engaging seek-and-find book that children will love to pore over.-Lisa Lehmuller, Paul Cuffee Maritime Charter School, Providence

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