From Publishers Weekly
Having taken a puckish look at Table Manners with Chris Raschka, Radunsky finds a kooky, kicky way of counting to 10 while addressing pregnancy and birth. In effusive language and over-the-moon collages, he presents the love story of Mr. and Mrs. Armadillo, two thick-set creatures attired in sacklike body suits, form-fitting "tail stockings" and striped "ear socks. Always clean. Always in bright colors." (In case anyone objects that these bipeds cannot be real animals, Radunsky pictures a regular armadillo "naked, after taking a bath.") Each spread provides an episode in the newlyweds' fond marriage. They play in the park and ponder names for imaginary offspring, only to be surprised when a four-stage sequence shows Mrs. Armadillo's belly expanding to phenomenal size. "I think I am going to have a baby," she says. "Oh, my," replies her husband. Not one but a bevy of infants arrive, and the overwhelmed couple shrewdly names them "One" through "Ten" (all are olive-green but Six, who's a warm shade of sunset pink). Radunsky depicts the pregnancy with matter-of- factness and fervent optimism. After the birth, delighted relatives come bearing gifts, including a polka-dotted giraffe, plaid elephant and 10 frothy white tutus; practical Grandma brings 10 potties ("What if they all need to go potty at the same time?"). Every breathless chapter proclaims the family "so happy," and the lighthearted images seem to concur. Weightless baby armadillos and calligraphic numerals float about the bright white pages of this endearing book. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
reSchool-Grade 1-An offbeat, silly story about a newlywed couple. "All day long they play. First, Mrs. Armadillo chases Mr. Armadillo. Then, when she gets tired, they switch. And so forth and so on. But when both are tired, they sit down on a bench and say hello to every armadillo passing by. Mr. and Mrs. Armadillo are very friendly." One morning Mrs. Armadillo announces that she is pregnant. As she is lying on a hospital gurney, the doctor and nurses deliver 10 babies, whom the parents name "One" through "Ten." Excited relatives arrive bringing gifts for each of them. The end gatefold opens to reveal the 10 happy youngsters inside the only stroller big enough for them-Uncle Elmer's boat. Radunsky's wacky cut-paper collages depict the armadillos with ear socks, striped tail stockings, and blue noses. A foreword provides an anatomy lesson, featuring a diagram of "The Armadillo (naked, after taking a bath)." Radunsky narrates the story and interjects asides such as, "I could not draw them all because I didn't have enough room on the page," and "And what are their names? Mr. Armadillo's is- hmm- Alfred? Aaron? Amos?- Oh, I have forgotten his name." Young children will enjoy the many opportunities to count these odd creatures, but some may be puzzled by the eccentric tone.
Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, CanadaCopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
