Despite their subtitles, these are not the number and color books one might expect. Instead, these are simple stories, with texts in English and Mandarin Chinese, that include colors and numbers and thus nod quietly to their conceptual underpinnings. The final spread in both books provides English-language readers with an explanation of Mandarin's tonal subtleties and assistance with pinyin pronunciations.

This bilingual offering blooms. Geese prepare their nest for their brood, carefully arranging it for their eight eggs. One month passes, and the parents welcome their babies with open wings. The little birds follow their proud mama and papa out of the nest to swim--but one goes missing! Readers have little to fear, as the little one is found almost immediately. The text is rendered separately in English and Mandarin. Mandarin characters appear on the left-hand page, and the corresponding English text is placed on the right; the consistency provides a pleasant stability. A pronunciation guide on the last page gives some access to the Chinese characters, but the explanation of the pitched tones is too simplified to be very helpful. Charcoal gray with mauve and royal purple accents contributes a heavily soothing tone to the outdoor scenes; swirling periwinkle blue and striking forest green provide depth to water and land. Spring turns to summer with a similar style in Summertime Rainbow; gouache spreads feature eager bunnies exploring a field of bright flowers. Welcome additions. (Board book. 6 mos.-2)