Review by Booklist Review
*Starred Review* Otoshi, via her KO Kids Books, is developing a fine cottage industry using simple shapes, colors, and numbers to deliver powerful messages. In One (2008), she offers a story about bullying, with splashes of watercolors feeling happy and peaceful until they meet up with domineering Red. Zero (2010) thinks he is a round mound of nothing until the other numbers show him how important he is, thus introducing both the mathematical concept of zero and issues of self-esteem. In her latest book, she tackles a common kid problem: a best friend who becomes enamored with someone new. Once again Otoshi heads into her story with a dual purpose, a way for children to make sense of the ebb and flow of friendships, as well as a simple introduction to the concept of even and odd numbers. While the latter might need a nudge of explanation from adults, even young children will have awareness of what it's like to be included . . . or not. The story begins with bright, zippy Two, a playful number. Her best friend is silver One, and their slogan is I'll count on you. Enter green Three, who literally inserts herself between them. Three feels One should shake things up and that One and Three are the BEST! As always, Otoshi is able to get as much feeling out of her drawings of simple numbers as many illustrators can in drawings of children or animals. So bouncy in the beginning, Two is practically curled inside herself as One drifts away with the rest of the numbers. When Two ponders why she is getting the cold shoulder, she wonders if it's because she is even and they are odd. Then a bad thing happens the even and odd numbers cluster with their own kind and verbal hostilities break out. It's Zero who shows Two how to be the bigger number by both letting go and talking up playing together. The snow-white pages make the perfect background for painted numbers that almost glow against them; children will be immediately attracted to this simplest of artwork. This is one of those must-have books that will easily find a place both at home and at school. It can be the jumping-off point for discussions about every aspect of friendship, forgiveness, and, yes, math.--Cooper, Ilene Copyright 2014 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Like Otoshi's Zero and One, this book stars numerals brushed in cheery colors on clean white pages. Two is best friends with One-or was, until Three comes between them. "Come play with me, One," invites Three. "Odds are better than the rest, but One and Three are the best!" Over-the-top language makes it easy for readers to understand that taking sides is not the way to go. When Two despairs ("Maybe it's time for me to be done with One"), Zero exhorts her to try some out-of-the-box thinking: "What if you can make things right? Can you find it in your heart to see, a new angle to this, possibly?" The other numbers quickly join forces: "When the Dance turns and shifts, let's groove and flow. If you're holding too tight-let go." Otoshi's cognitive behavioral approach suggests that heroic action isn't always something that can be seen; it's something that happens inside. Clearly meant for public readaloud and classroom discussion, this is a polished, on-message opening for dialogue about bullying, mean girls, and other social plagues. Ages 4-up. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2-The first stanza of the song "Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other is gold" is, literally, the theme of Otoshi's third book about numbers. Two and One are best friends until Three comes along and disrupts the status quo. Two feels terrible about being left out, but Three convinces One that "odds" are better than the rest," and some verbal teasing ensues. Other odd and even numbers join in the escalating argument until Zero steps in and convinces Two to put a halt to the escalating division. One, Two, and Three apologize for the way they've been acting, and all the numbers, from Zero to Nine, decide it's a good thing to be open to all potential friends. Some lines rhyme, but others don't, which can create a problem in the reading cadence the first time around. This tale, featuring colorful numbers placed on large white pages, presents some clever wordplay and has a moral that will be best understood by children if the book is shared with an adult.-Maryann H. Owen, Children's Literature Specialist, Mt. Pleasant, WI (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
