Grandma's Tiny House: A Counting Story!

A grandmother welcomes her family, friends, and neighbors into her small home, and everyone arrives with lots of food and energy. As the guests show up, Brown-Wood counts up to "15 hungry grandkids," writing in breezy, confident rhymes: "Nine chatting aunties all head for the den,/ and set down the cheesecakes that add up to ten." Burris introduces the mostly African-American cast in smudgy digital illustrations with crayonlike outlines, creating a vibe of good-natured chaos. With no room indoors, the party moves into the backyard: "Perfect in size, at the edge of Brown Street,/ sits Grandma's backyard, where we all go to eat." A warmhearted tribute to the messy joys of a big, impromptu gathering. Ages 2-5. (Aug.)

PreS--Grandmother has prepared two turkeys and invited a cast of diverse friends over for a feast. After the last one arrives, "That's when the walls bulge. There is no space! How will we all eat in this too-tiny place?" Rhymed couplets with a delightful lilt explain a common problem. As the verses count various items on each page up to the number 15, the dilemma is elucidated. Burris uses Photoshop with a soft pencil outline to capture the grandmother with her hot pink blouse, pink headband, and pink ballet flats. At the appropriate moment, the granddaughter solves the problem with "I KNOW" in a close-up perspective on a spread. VERDICT This counting story will have repeated readings during the holidays and all year round.--Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA