BOOKS FOR KEIKI
Animals help teach kids history of numbers
By Jolie Cotton
"NINE ANIMALS AND THE WELL" by James Rumford; Houghton Mifflin, ages 4-9, $16
Houghton Mifflin has recently released a new title by Manoa author and illustrator James Rumford, my colleague who alternates in writing Advertiser children's book reviews. This latest picture book, more playful and geared to a younger audience than Rumford's recent titles, delves into the world of numbers.
The original fable is set in India where the signs we use in counting were invented. It begins with nine animal friends on their way to the birthday party of the raja, or king. Along the journey, each animal is confident they have chosen just the right present, until they meet up with the next party guest, who seems to have come up with a bigger and better gift idea.
Monkey comes first, proud of his gift of bread, until he meets Rhino who scoffs at the loaf, showing Monkey his two brilliant mangoes. Monkey, now ashamed, pitches his gift into the river, where a grateful crocodile snaps it up. Camel brings three almond-filled cakes, Rabbit four dazzling cones of sugar —Êall discarded, then enjoyed by an unsuspecting recipient.
On a background of flowered paper handmade in India, Rumford uses various Japanese papers to produce brightly colored collage illustrations. The animal characters have a pleasing quality. An endnote explains the journey of numbers from India to Arabia, North Africa and then Europe.
Rumford's natural talent for molding complex ideas into lively stories for children once again shines through in this enchanting mix of math, history and social studies.
"THE CAT WHO GOT CARRIED AWAY" by Allan Ahlberg, Katharine McEwen illustrator; Candlewick, ages 7-10, $15.99
Author Allan Ahlberg's Gaskitt Family Adventures are, in my mind, the most refreshing early chapter books being published. Even the appearance of these books is modern; they are broader, thicker and snazzier-looking than the typical cookie cutter-sized easy readers. And they are thoughtfully designed, with ample white space to complement their spirited watercolor and crayon illustrations.
Like the first two titles in the series ("The Man Who Wore All His Clothes," and "The Woman Who Won Things") this story, starring contemporary parents and children, teems with slapstick humor, perky dialogue and a madcap plot.
Ahlberg teases readers with an open promising that the Gaskitt twins, Gus and Gloria, "have a lot of running to do," Mr. Gaskitt will spend much of his time vacuuming (for good reason) and Mrs. Gaskitt will rarely get out of bed. I won't give away the story, but discovering why the children are racing around town, Dad is housecleaning and Mom is bedridden is top-notch entertainment.
Ahlberg has successfully produced widely acclaimed children's books for a generation. Among his many classic picture books are "Burglar Bill," "Peek-a-Boo," and "Each Peach Pear Plum."
"CHIP WANTS A DOG" by William Wegman; Hyperion, all ages, $16.99
In his latest picture book, Wegman uses his unmistakable photographs of Weimeraners as dog-faced humans to tell the tale of a dog-crazy dog named Chip. All Chip ever thinks about is dogs. Without a dog, Chip is lonesome. If Chip had a dog, he fantasizes, he would teach it to sit, stay, fetch and roll over. (His fantasy dog is a stuffed Weimeraner.)
Unfortunately, Chip's parents do not want a dog. His mom is a "cat person," and his dad argues dogs are a big responsibility. One night Chip dreams he is a dog and when he awakes he realizes: "I don't need a dog, I AM a dog." He takes himself for a walk, teaches himself new tricks and gives himself a bone. The premise of this story all hinges on the one-line joke, but it works, and works beautifully for both kids and adults.
