HOW TO COUNT TO ONE

A witty challenge using reverse psychology: Count only one item on each spread.

An unseen narrator presents one red apple, then one gray elephant. But now there are two large blue whales. Nevertheless, the text firmly instructs us to count only the one sausage held aloft by the whale’s spout. Bowls of red, green, and yellow soup tempt us to cry “three,” but the task is to count the one fly in the green soup. With deadpan encouragement, the narrator admires our progress: “You are really getting the hang of counting to ONE.” But then we are warned that “This is a bit more tricky”: There are four objects—one dinosaur in an astronaut helmet, one molded pink jello, one flaming meteor, and one pair of tighty whiteys, all floating in starry space. Pick one and count it! On another spread, 14 animals (including seven green snakes) and a few insects are arranged across a spread, with categorical instructions: “Using your counting skills, please count the giraffe.” Rashly, the narrator blurts out, “Hey, what number comes after ONE?” but quickly retracts the question: “I’m kidding! Don’t say it!” Finally, the last spread offers a challenge: Count the 100 objects arranged. Salmon manages a difficult task—a wholly original counting book that will have little ones gleefully defying the narrator’s instructions. Delightful, deceptively simple, collagelike illustrations show mastery of color and clever composition. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Catnip for teachers or anyone leading a storytime and sure to tickle kids.