The friendly animals introduced in 2014-s Adventures with Barefoot Critters-a fox, bat, triceratops, and more-return for a counting adventure that celebrates the pleasures of outdoor play. Sturdy, gentle rhymes guide readers through a day-s worth of fun. Initially, one raccoon reads alone: -But when the story is over you might start to feel blue/ And realize your day would be better with... Two!- New critters join on each subsequent spread, exploring the woods, enjoying a cake break, playing pirates, refurbishing tree houses, and more. White-s endearing watercolor and gouache illustrations create a cozy woodland world that readers will be eager to revisit. Ages 4-8. (Aug.)

PreS White's charming watercolor and gouache illustrations in earth tones depict a cast of animals engaged in a dozen different activities including reading, making pancakes, exploring in the woods, picking and selling apples, playing pirates, swimming, and going home. Each cute critter is joined by another to expand the group, and each activity is presented in a fluid and descriptive rhyme: "Nine!/Now that we're rested, the next thing in line/Is to visit our fort, where there's just room for nine./We climb high in the trees to see far past our den/Then it's back down to land, and we're ready for&30;." Young children will pore over the action-packed, detailed illustrations to learn their numbers, practice counting to 12, or just experience the joy on each page. VERDICT Count on this appealing title to enliven concept books collections. Laura Scott, Farmington Community Library, MI