10 Cats by Emily Gravett

There's something about the eyes of Emily Gravett's characters that just makes me laugh every time. This simple counting book is no exception and can be enjoyed by a wide range of ages.

We start with a nice row of ten cats. A proud mother, white with green eyes, and a mischievous bunch of nine kittens. Mom settles down for a nap and the kittens begin exploring and playing... around three cans of paint. At first, we're just counting the patterns - black cats, striped cats, and cats with patches. But it's not long before the tops of the cans pop off and we're counting cats with red spots, yellow blotches, and blue dots. Next, the paint begins to mix and orange splashes and green splats are thrown into the mix. Mom finally wakes up, and eyes her multicolored offspring (and herself) with dismay, ending the story with the kittens being dunked into a bath.

Verdict: Sweet and simple, little kids will enjoy picking out and counting the different combinations of patterns and colors, as well as learning some simple color mixing, while older kids (and adults) can enjoy the hilarious, changing expressions on the kittens' faces. Recommended.

ISBN: 9781914912580; Published May 2023 by Boxer Books/Union Square Publishing; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library