One, Two, Three! (by Sandra Boynton)

Each sentence or verse about one of the numbers from one to ten has a matching illustration featuring the appropriate number of animals engaged in an activity. The book begins with one lone hippo on a sedate stroll; next are two cats enjoying a conversation. However, as the numbers increase, so does the boisterousness of the rhymes and pictures, culminating in a rowdy animal parade complete with instruments and confetti.

ONE, TWO, THREE is a fine example of Sandra Boynton's signature style, which is consistently amusing and with an educational bent. A winning blend of whimsy and wry practicality, Boynton's light tone and bright illustrations are ideal for young children. Her illustrations greatly contribute to making this book as enjoyable as it is educational. Her quirky characters are vastly appealing to a kid's sense of humor.

From a purely educational perspective, one omission is glaring: The numerals themselves -- which would enable children to make the connection between the word two and the numeral 2, for example -- are missing from the pages.