Bear and Mouse enjoy breakfast in a forest clearing while, all around them, they find things to count: "One sun floating high. / One giant dragonfly . . . " The list goes on, interspersed with the repeated refrain, "Numbers, numbers everywhere. / Can you count along with bear?" Young children will want to try, and since the number of countable objects rises slowly, many will succeed. Throughout the book, friendly, lightly anthropomorphized animals lark about together in trees, meadow, and pond. Each four-page section features a number from one to five, depicted in two double-page spreads. The first presents a broad scene that includes groups of creatures and objects representing the number, while the next isolates each group against a white background. Well designed for its purpose, this counting book offers a lively, rhyming text along with appealing acrylic paintings. A cheerful addition to Wilson's popular Bear series of picture books.

Toddler-PreSBear and his woodland friends are enjoying an idyllic summer day, culminating with a swim in the pond. Bear counts "five!/Five ducks in the water./Five lively river otters./Five lovely lily pads./Five pinching crawdads./Numbers, numbers everywhere./Now YOU can count, just like BEAR!" Learn to count with irresistible furry creatures and fun things to point to and name.