Coconut Mon

Taylor's (Guinea Pigs Don't Talk) dazzling cut-paper illustrations form the most potent aspect of this Caribbean counting book. Curvy, shimmery shapes in hot pinks, corals and electric blues suggest a sizzling tropical island; but paired with Milstein's (Amanda's Perfect Hair) contrived text, the overall effect is one of forced joviality. One by one, the Coconut Mon sells his ``LUV-ly coconuts,'' counting down with each sale and describing the features of his produce: ``Nine COOOOOOL coconuts.... Three TAAA-sty coconuts!'' Not only are these stretched-out vowels and hyper-hyphenation likely to frustrate beginning readers (and to irritate adults), but the book's primary aim--counting--is lost amidst a flurry of images. On several spreads, kids may even have trouble finding the prescribed number of remaining coconuts. Ages 3-up. (Apr.)