No Dodos: A Counting Book of Endangered Animals

A counting book that introduces endangered animals, from one whale to ten turtles, includes information about how these species are being threatened with extinction

PreSchool-Grade 2-Wallwork presents some endangered species in a counting-book format. Colorful torn-paper collages present various species-"One whale, two tigers, three pandas, ten turtles," etc., "...but no dodos," as they are extinct. A double-page spread at the end of the book gives a brief explanation of each animal, where it lives, and why it is threatened. As a concept book for teaching numbers and counting, this is an attractive selection with plenty of child appeal. Primary graders will find No Dodos a simple introduction to a complex subject.
Helen Rosenberg, Chicago Public Library, IL
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Newcomer Wallwork uses her environmental concerns to give this counting book some heft. Endangered animals, including blue whales, penguins and parrots, populate the right page of each spread, while the left pages present the numbers one to 10 and simple identifications (e.g., "9 / nine dolphins"). Bold colors and borders of geometric shapes energize Wallwork's snappy torn-paper collages. The penultimate spread dramatically points out that there are no dodos left on earth; two final pages provide more detailed information about the precarious future of the featured animals and their habitats. The airy, uncluttered design of this volume suits the concept at hand. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

This British artist's first book has two distinctions: striking torn-paper collages, handsomely set on royal blue or black and bordered in harmonious geometric designs, representing ``1/one whale,'' ``2/two tigers,'' and so on; and an inspired inclusion that relates to both her theme and an important number concept usually omitted from counting books: after ``10,'' a spread reading simply ``0...but no dodos''--and no picture, either. The dodo does appear on a final spread where the images of the animals are repeated with a brief text on the different reasons for their endangered status. Good idea, nicely developed; attractive book. (Picture book. 3-6) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Ages 3-6. Surrounded by borders composed of basic shapes, the text of this simple counting book gives the numerals from one through ten, the word for the numeral, and the word for the endangered animal that appears in the facing picture. Created from old magazines, the collage illustrations of "one whale . . . two tigers . . . three pandas" and so on have vivid colors and simple forms. Before using this with preschoolers, adults are advised to look at the illustrated afterword that identifies the animals' habitats and explains why they are endangered. Suggested for collections needing easy materials on numbering and the environment. Julie Corsaro