Video Review: Counting Creatures


A huge number (pardon the pun) of counting books regularly cross my reviewing line of sight, some fun, some novel, some nonsensical. The thing that sets Counting Creatures by the ineffable, Julia Donaldson and illustrator extraordinaire, Sharon King-Chai, apart is the exquisite presentation and thoughtful use of content.

This is decidedly more than a counting book. It verses children in the prerequisite 1 - 10 then continues in multiple of fives which prolongs the enjoyment and exercises young brain muscles. A forest, tree top and meadow full of interesting creatures lurk, fly and float in a wonderful wildness of stunning colour and detail. 

Children are invited to count these creatures and then venture a guess as to how many babies they might have; a bat has one for instance but who has more babies than that? The most exuberant thing about this counting and naming book is the gorgeous arrangement of flaps and fold out pages each hiding the answer and a surprise or two. 

Combining counting, animals, animal baby terminology and their habitats, this 'lift-the-flap' book is an eye-smacking numeracy-nature-find-and-seek experience that comes highly recommended. Discover more of the beauty and cleverness of this exquisite picture book by Julia Donaldson and Sharon King-Chai with my virtual review below.


Title: Counting Creatures
Author: Julia Donaldson
Illustrator: Sharon King-Chai
Publisher: Pan Macmillan (Two Hoots imprint)
Publication Date: October 2020
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781529040517
For ages: 4 - 6
Type: Activity Picture Book

Buy the Book: Pan MacMillan, Boomerang Books


 

Comments

Norah Colvin said…
Love your review, Dimity. What a gorgeous book. The illustrations are stunning. I just love the cover. I'm ordering a copy for a little person I know who will just love it too.
28 May 2021 at 21:53
DimbutNice said…
Oooh, Norah, thanks for that. I guarantee you won't be disappointed. Even my she-teen thought the illos were magnificent. It's one engaging little book and definitely deserving of space on the bookshelf. :-)
28 May 2021 at 21:59
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