Salmon, Caspar. How to Count to One: (And Don’t Even THINK About Bigger Numbers!). Matt Hunt, Illus. Nosy Crow, 06/2023. 32pp. Picture Book. Trade $17.99. 979-8887770246. GRADES Preschool–1. OUTSTANDING.
No matter how exciting the items are to count, readers are unreasonably told to only count to one. Defiant young audiences will not be able to resist counting, shouting, and giggling through every page. Playful illustrations of bright color washes and simply shaped characters bring a joyful playfulness to contrast sharply with the repeated strict warnings to only count to one. Cleverly, the authoritative narrator leaves a challenge certain to be taken up with glee—“What?! Did you think you would learn to count to big numbers like a HUNDRED?” The end pages sneakily present one hundred colorful objects ready for counting. Using the QR code on the back provides a free audio reading filled with sound effects. Try this title for a crowd-pleasing readaloud and a lively interactive storytime filled with fun … and a little math along the way.
Alexandre Petrakis—San Francisco Public Library