One Five Many CL

Here's a counting book that's a stylist's delight. In much the same way that Numblers by Suse Macdonald and Bill Oakes provided highly inventive conceptual surprises, Czech artist Pacovska tinkers with a series of vigorous graphics, turning them sideways or on their heads, and adding cutouts, little panels that open, and more. Holding it all together is an acrobatic clown who literally bends over backwards to portray the shapes of numerals one through 10, adding members of a lively retinue when appropriate. A recurring row of brightly colored dots helps readers keep track of the number in question. The sturdy spiral binding will boost the book's longevity, but a heavy paper jacket to which the book is glued seems unnecessary as well as fated for a short lifespan. Ages 5-8. (Oct.)