Jingly rhymes take readers on a bland journey from one to ten, naming animals that could be in a backyard ("In my backyard I can see / one doe's fawn / peeking at me"). Illustrated with softly naturalistic art, the book's book's a jumble but readers may learn some science vocabulary ("nymphs are baby grasshoppers"). Appended are wildlife information and a game.

Giogas's debut is a nature counting book that teaches young childen the names of animals' young, as well as what to call a group of that animal. "In my backyard I can see / groups of baby animals / all around me. / They creep, they crawl, they run, and hide. / They munch, they crunch, they sleep outside." From a prickle of two pups (porcupines) to a surfeit of seven kits (skunks), she highlights both the usual and the unusual. Readers will learn an interesting fact about each: eating habits, habitat and adaptations. Zecca's softly colored illustrations portray realistic-looking animals. Each page features one larger picture in which to find and count the babies, and smaller pictures that are close-ups, or that show the animal in their home or backyard setting. Backmatter includes animal cards to photocopy or download, a summary page showing where each of the baby animals is hiding, signs that animals are around, information on caring for wildlife and steps to take if you find an injured animal. While the rhythms of the verses are not always lyrical, young naturalists will nonetheless enjoy this one, especially since Pam Munoz Ryan's A Pinky is a Baby Mouse (1997) is out of print. (Picture book. 3-7)

PreS-Gr 3-Young readers who are interested in learning about backyard creatures will welcome this rhyming counting book. From "one doe's fawn" to "a swarm of ten nymphs" (grasshoppers), Giogas introduces children to the group and baby names of 10 critters commonly found in woodland areas (the animals are identified at book's end). For example, a page showing skunks reads, "In my backyard I can see/a surfeit of seven kits/squinting at me./They hunt for grubs and ants and snails,/and sometimes eat the eggs of quails." Appended are additional facts about the highlighted species and tips on ways to observe, protect, and care for wildlife. The colorful illustrations are a good match for the text and at times provide visual clues. The book makes a pleasant read-aloud for younger listeners, while older children can enjoy it independently, though they might need help with a few of the more scientific terms. While not an essential purchase, it will be a useful addition for libraries in which nature books are popular.-Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MA Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.