Zebedee’s Balloon

French artist Philipponneau’s striking wood engravings are the centerpiece of this counting story; he revels in the textures and contrasts that the medium offers, and his folk art–like depictions of the night forest are handsome enough to stand on their own. The text, alas, falters. A small dog named Zebedee, heartbroken upon losing his cherished red balloon (which he refers to as “Ball”) meets a kindly owl who comforts him: “Together, as we search hard for Ball,/ You will make not one but ten friends in all!” Sure enough, two doves, three snails, and four worms join the search. At several junctures, Zebedee thinks he sees Ball, but it’s one disappointment after another as the red circles he and his new friends spot (the sole bits of color in the book) turn out to be strawberries, apples, and flowers; ultimately, Zebedee must admit that he’s never going to find Ball (“Dear little Ball, wherever you may be./ You can live your own life”). The rough-hewn artwork and thick matte paper stock are lovely, but the clumsy, saccharine translation is a letdown. Ages 4–up. (Mar.)