Count Your Way Through Italy

School Library Journal

Clever use of the numbers one through ten treats readers to a brief introduction to the culture, geography, and language of each country. The subject matter is integrated smoothly and subtly as each number is presented sequentially in double-page spreads. One page contains succinct, informative text that is complemented on its facing page with an amplifying illustration. Arabic numerals act as chapter headings and each is accompanied with the written number word (and phonetic pronunciation) appropriate to that country. The text is economical and manageable for the older range of readers; younger children will need help with some of the vocabulary. Even so, their interest will be piqued by the expressiveness of the illustrations. Byers uses a pastel palette to evoke an ``Old World'' feeling in . . . Germany , while Wright's bold colors and designs in modern graphic art explode from the pages of . . . Italy . Both are sure to attract attention. Any foreign words used in the texts are followed by their phonetic pronunciations, easing comprehension. There is no in-depth treatment, but these books will surely whet appetites for further investigations. --Mary Lou Budd, Milford South Elementary School, OH