Olly and Me 123

Shirley Hughes fans will be delighted by this jewel, which is so much more than just a 1 to 10 counting book. Firmly based on toddler Katie, baby brother Olly and the extended family, every page is a dip into the child’s world, always with an opportunity for counting. The book opens with one and me, and closes with a glorious recognition of things too many to count… ‘blossoms falling from a tree, raindrops in puddles, flowers in springtime, clouds in the sky going up and up… Numbers go on for ever.’ Hughes’ delightful, instantly recognisable drawings begin on the first set of endpapers. The spread is peopled with family members, friends and pets yet to come, denoting the numbers one to ten. Throughout the book, pictorial memories of family life abound – hide and seek, playing with Grandpa, pets and friends, days out at the sea; ballet classes, tea-parties in the garden, visits to the park, riding home on the bus. The text sits beautifully on each page, surrounded by detailed drawings, and of course, the Arabic numerals topping all. Nurseries will treasure this book, and make good use of the counting wall frieze tucked in the back… But it is essentially a book for sharing and enjoying at home, with a very small person. GB