Counting Chickens

A counting book set in Africa, celebrating the gift of life. While Tobi’s friends watch their animals give birth, Tobi watches over his hen’s eggs waiting for something to happen. As time passes, the calf, two lambs, three  kids, four kittens, five puppies and six piglets develop apace while Tobi’s eggs remain still and beautiful. Then, after twenty one days, the eggs begin to crack and seven fluffy yellow chicks are hatched. After a year those chicks, now grown, have chicks of their own and before long Tobi has more hens than he can count, so the reader is asked to join in and help him. Though simple in concept, this is a satisfying book with strong illustrations that have more than a hint of Africa. Full of pattern and texture, they show the liveliness and rhythm of small village life where animals play an important part in the lives of the people. A good introduction to other cultures and ways of life.