Bear's Birthday
Blackstone combines a rhyming counting book and a birthday celebration. Harter s familiar cartoon bear and buddies party with gifts, musical chairs, hide-and-seek, a treasure hunt, and a variety of treats. Readers are given the task of counting the number of balloons as designated in a square at the bottom right corner of each spread. The final spread shows a balloon countdown from 10 to one, assisted by Bear s black-and-white-striped cat. The busy scenes with bright geometrics and patterns promise many fun readings. --School Library JournalOn Bear s birthday, he blows up 10 balloons and greets his party guests at the door. After playing hideand-seek and musical chairs, the bears have a treasure hunt, enjoy a birthday feast, and say good-bye.Rhymed couplets are illustrated in the vibrantly colored ink, paint, and crayon artwork. The final spread,Counting Balloons, challenges kids to count rows of balloons, from 10 to 1, as Bear s cat bats themabout and occasionally pops one. Children can practice counting in this cheerful board book (also in paper)the latest in Blackstone and Harter s Bear series. --Booklist