1-2-3 Peas

PreS-Gr 1—This colorful counting book features the same cast of characters introduced in Baker's LMNO Peas (S & S, 2010). This time, the peas are out and about engaging in all sorts of imaginative activities that the "pea-wee" crowd might enjoy: planting, painting, dancing on stage, building, fishing, singing, etc. As youngsters browse the pages, they can count along from 1 to 20, then to 100 by tens. Each page features a large numeral and a representative number of peas in and around that number. For example, 70 ("SEVENTY peas singing—la, la, la") presents a rock band (the Peatles) staged on top of the seven, a pea singing in the shower, a choir, and a soloist named Pea yoncé. On the other hand, 40 ("FORTY peas napping—sleep, sleep, sleep") displays forty peas napping peacefully alongside their piles of books. Children will also enjoy checking for other details, such as the ladybug hidden on each spread. The digitally rendered illustrations are presented in eye-catching shades of blue, orange, green, red, and more. With so much illustrated detail, this book is best suited for one-on-one sharing, and children will enjoy returning time and again to discover the visual surprises or humorous touches hidden in the book's pages.—Roxanne Burg, Orange County Public Library, CA