Margaret Hamilton (text) Anna Pignataro (illus), Counting Through the Day, Little Hare, 1 June 2016, 32pp., $24.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781760124526
Counting Through the Day is an attractive picture book, from the colourful front cover and interesting endpapers, to the engaging content. It takes counting beyond the usual 1 to 10, stimulating interest in the unlimited possibilities of number and challenging the child. The young reader will enjoy the building sense of excitement as the count progresses to “thousands of raindrops” and “millions of stars.” It is beautifully rounded off in a circular structure as it begins with a new day and ends with “one silver moon” at night.
There is a great deal to enjoy on each double page spread, beginning with the rhyming couplets and the large clear figures to help with remembering the numbers. The combination of collage, gouache, pencil and watercolour create a beautiful effect on the plain ecru background. Anna Pignataro’s beautiful illustrations are full of appeal for readers of all ages.
With its clear, well-balanced text and imaginative illustrations Counting Through the Day is the sort of book children will want to have read to them again and again. The endpapers are a source of endless interest displaying countless items from the illustrations. One of the delights of Margret Hamilton’s text is that this counting book is simple and direct yet manages to have a story as it follows the child through the activities of the day, including familiar animals and toys, and ends with going to bed with a gentle “Goodnight.” The importance of “one loving kiss” returns the reader from the realm of almost overwhelming numerical possibilities to the safety and security of home and family, making this an ideal going-to-bed book for 1-4 year olds. Counting Through the Day is an excellent counting book and a worthwhile addition to all homes and school libraries.
Reviewed by Grace Nolan
