A pair of simple, pleasing concept books feature beautiful, digitally rendered illustrations on heavy, foldout pages. In Animal 1 2 3 , the foldouts are each number in turn from one to nine, with ten being the final reveal. Each page spread features a different animal and emphasizes two consecutive numbers. So “2 marching elephants” features two elephants trunk to tail and a large number “2” that folds out to reveal a third elephant holding onto the second, and the phrase “3 marching elephants.” The next page begins with “3 tall giraffes,” with the number “3” unfolding to reveal a fourth giraffe and “4 tall giraffes,” and so on. In Animal Spots and Stripes , there is one trait emphasized at first glance on each page with the foldout revealing an example of the other trait. So “striped tigers” are paired with “spotted leopard,” “spotted fish” with “striped worm,” and so on. The uncluttered illustrations are a perfect balance of realism and whimsy. (Ages 2–4)

With a bold palette, striking graphics, and a bouncing menagerie of animals, this pair of uniquely formatted lift-the-flap books introduces young readers to the basic concepts of counting and patterns. Each is a boisterous, vivid trek of discovery, providing irresistible clues which encourage lifting the flap—a hands-on, educator-approved strategy of uncovering and learning concepts. Whether it's finding out just who's next in Animal 123, or exploring differently patterned creatures hiding in the habitats of Animal Spots and Stripes, these ultra-sturdy books provide not just an intriguing way to communicate essential building blocks of learning, but also offer an energetic playground of sheer delight.