Review by Booklist Review
In this follow-up to the evocative ABC Dream (2016), Krans takes on numerals 1 through 20. Each number, rendered alongside corresponding sums of intricately illustrated plants, animals, insects, and other objects, encourages young readers not only to count but to spell. The number 8, for example, doused in soft watercolor, accompanies four large-eared rabbits. Though little ones may initially be confused, adults will make an instant connection between the e in eight and the e in ears. In a trickier spread, the numbers 12 and 13 seem to share a jumble of spotted toads as well as the pointed thorns of a long-stemmed rose. How can this be? Observant readers will align the red-splashed 13 with nearby red thorns; the opportunity to distinguish t from th sounds is a bonus. Though no doubt challenging, Krans' signature pen-and-ink drawings, watercolor accents, and enchanting subject matter, from narwhals and fireflies to feathers and toes, are worth poring over. And hearing a youngster attempt to pronounce thistle? That's just icing on the cake.--Shemroske, Briana Copyright 2016 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In a companion to ABC Dream, published earlier this year, Krans counts to 20 using meticulously detailed ink and watercolor drawings of wild animals and objects, including four foxes, nine narwhals, 14 feathers, and 17 salamanders. Each numeral appears in bold black print, but the pages are otherwise wordless, creating a subtle guessing game involving what is meant to be counted (four rabbits appear for the number eight-it's their ears that need counting). A closing spread lists additional items that readers can look back through the pages to locate, offering additional opportunities to engage with the natural settings Krans evocatively draws. Ages 3-7. Agent: Meg Thompson, Thompson Literary. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-In this companion to her ABC Dream, Krans tackles the concept of numbers, using her deft pen and ink washed with watercolor to draw the intricate scenes. Each spread features a numeral along with a matching quantity of flora or fauna for readers to count. The objects in the drawings begin with the first letters of the number they represent. Three delicate thistles and five fish lead the way to some brain teasers-there are only four rabbits on the page devoted to the number eight, but savvy readers will figure out soon enough how many ears the critters have among them. And who could have known that 10 trees positioned just right can create a whole forest? The numbers 12 and 13 share a spread full of toads and roses. And the final pages offer some more opportunities for looking. Learning to count is a great accomplishment for children; this title will delight long after the skill is secure. VERDICT An engaging seek-and-find book that children will love to pore over.-Lisa Lehmuller, Paul Cuffee Maritime Charter School, Providence © Copyright 2016. 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.
Review by Horn Book Review
Each illustration in these wordless concept books features a large upper-case letter or numeral surrounded by items or concepts representing the letter (an arrow-pierced apple; upside-down unicorn) or number (one owl; fourteen feathers). Most of the compositions--crisp black ink with color washes--are easy on the eye; young readers will enjoy identifying the images (ABC, answers appended) and searching for hidden items (123). [Review covers these titles: ABC Dream and 123 Dream.] (c) Copyright 2017. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
