1 2 3 Sea Creatures

Originally published in 2016 as a 32-page hardcover book, 1 2 3 Sea Creatures has been republished as a board book, and its contents have been significantly revised. Whereas the original book dealt with numbers up to 100, the board book’s scope is limited to just the numbers from 1 to 10 expressed as both numbers and words. As well, both the text and the illustrations for these numbers have been expanded. For example, the original text for the number 2 read “Two walrus tusks” and for 7 “Seven jellyfish tendrils”. The illustration in the original book only provided one walrus with its two tusks whereas the illustration in the board book, in order to match the revised wording, offers two walruses, each having two tusks. Similarly, there are now seven jellyfish, each with seven tendrils hanging below it.
Each of the book’s sea creatures is treated via a double page spread. The text clearly identifies what two things are to be counted and how many of each are to be found. Setting her sea creatures against textured and solid coloured backgrounds, Hosoya provides adequate separation between the animals to facilitate the required counting by young readers. Although Hosoya illustrates these water creatures realistically, to each she adds something that, at first, may not seem to make sense. However, a walrus might require a toothbrush to keep its tusks clean, and, if you were a clownfish, would wearing a party hat not be in character?

1 2 3 Sea Creatures, a bright and visually attractive board book, will not only assist toddlers in learning to count, but its text will add to their vocabulary development. The slightly embossed words and animals on the book’s cover deliver a subtle tactile treat before readers discover the visual delights inside.

An excellent home purchase, 1 2 3 Sea Creatures should be found in all libraries serving this age group.