Playtime 1 2 3

by Jenny Williams

PreSchool-- A counting book told in rhyme, with each line beginning with a number from 1 to 20. Familiar, favorite children's activities, from swinging and picnicking to swimming in an indoor pool, are presented in pleasant watercolor and colored-pencil illustrations as an enterprising crew of kids (always representing ethnic and gender balance) enjoy their playtime. The simplicity of the verse and the age of the children depicted (the majority being toddlers and young preschoolers) point to an intended audience of novice counters; the book has an introductory tone in general. This is at odds, however, with the level of challenge involved. The children to be counted are all over the place, usually against a fairly busy background. Sometimes there are also infants and adults, or youngsters not directly involved in the activity. Are they meant to be counted or not? Other illustrations, with pets or teddy bears in the foreground appearing larger than the people in the background, require an experienced eye to organize the scene for counting. Playtime 123 is charming as an illustrated poem highlighting beloved childhood pastimes, but it doesn't work as a counting book. --Liza Bliss, formerly at Leominster Pub . Lib . , MA
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

32 pages, Paperback

First published April 6, 1992