One Boy (by Laura Vaccaro Seeger)

One boy sits alone in the beginning, starting off this book that not only counts from 1 to 10 but also uses a die-cut opening to show how one word is imbedded in another. As readers turn the pages, they will see "one" become "alone," "seals" turn to "sea," "apes" to "escape," and up to 10 "ants" in your "pants." The boy is still around in the end, walking off and leaving behind the paintings he has made, each of which was a page in the book.

From the dye-cut red cover to the final page, ONE BOY captures the mind and the eye, making it a great choice for kids beginning to count as well as those learning to read. The colors are playfully bright, the text (and font it is printed in) is simple, and the use of the die-cut opening is a clever way to introduce the more complicated idea of words within words. On top of all that, this is also the story of one boy, his imagination, and his paintings. Even with its final "ants in the pants" scenario that could make some readers squeamish, this is a very friendly, comfortable, beautiful book, and one worthy of the awards it has already received.

Author: Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Illustrator: Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Publication date: September 2, 2008
Number of pages: 48
Hardcover price: $14.95
Read Aloud: 2
Read Alone: 5