Warthogs in the Kitchen: A Sloppy Counting Book [Hardcover]

Pamela Duncan Edwards (Author), Henry Cole (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 15, 1998 | Grade Level: P and up

Three warthogs count to ten as they bake cupcakes.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Collaborators Edwards and Cole (Four Famished Foxes and Fosdyke) pull out all the stops in this slapstick comedy of too many cooks, starring eight eager-eyed, quadruple-tusked, bristly warthogs and a little blue teddy bear. From one chef assiduously washing his hooves, to the wise guy who offers up a jar of pickles to add ("Pickles in cupcakes! Well, perhaps just a few!"), to 10 cooked cupcakes (with a tiny pair for Teddy) this kitchen bursts with bravura. Each page contains a vividly detailed drawing against a white background, with the numeral in question looming large and colorful, then spelled out as the first word in the brief understated text. "Four scoops of sugar should go in now," reads the caption under four cake-makers, each with a scoop in hand as a flow of white granules cascades over the multicolored scoops, forming small mountains on a lime-green checked tablecloth (and missing the mixing bowl entirely). The last spread shows "zero cakes left" with the entire cast (including Teddy) collapsed in a bloated heap. Beneath a cupcake recipe in the back for "humans," is another "for warthogs," which exhorts the reader to "Lick bowl.... Lick countertop. Lick recipe book. Lick your friends." This is lightweight, irresistible fun kids can count on. Ages 4-9.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

A slap-happy counting book in which first one warthog then gradually more whip up a batch of singular cupcakes. The book proceeds as a carefree rhyme``One little cook thinks/he'll cook today./Two clean hooves./All the germs washed away.'' Additional warthogs join in the preparation: Butter is churned to a froth, the flour is whirled into blizzards, the eggs hit the floor, a few pickles are added, all from numbers one through ten. The concoction is baked and consumed with relish, although it will be clear to readers that perhaps only a warthog would be so pleased with the results (the cupcakes include five scoops of butter and pickles). Cole's great toothy warthogs and manic action make for an ideal mix of comedy and energy, all the way to the end, when there are no cupcakes left (it's nice to see zero make an appearance in a counting book, as do two recipes) and the warthogs collapse from their efforts. (Picture book. 4-9) -- Copyright ©1998, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 24 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion; 1st edition (May 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786803991
• ISBN-13: 978-0786803996
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,411,909 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Pamela Duncan Edwards grew up in the Wirral, but has spent most of her adult life in the USA. She worked as a children's librarian before becoming a writer and is now the bestselling author of over 30 children's books.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for any child., August 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Warthogs in the Kitchen: A Sloppy Counting Book (Hardcover)

My son (age 2) loves this book. He asks me over and over to read it to him. He is learning his numbers along with the story. The aritst has done a fantastic job making warthogs look adorable. Great Book!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A suprisingly pleasing book, March 15, 2001

By 

Michelle Marzec (Dale City, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Warthogs in the Kitchen: A Sloppy Counting Book (Hardcover)

When my sister first obtained this book from the library to read, I thought it might be a bit below her eight year old level. But it really suprised me, the funny ryhmes and charming pictures are quite well done. We both loved the recipies at the end of the book, the one that tells you how to make real cupcakes, and how warthogs make cupcakes. If you love to laugh, and know something about cooking, I recommend this book it is silly from start to finish.

5.0 out of 5 stars What a sneeze can do in the kitchen!!, November 25, 2007

By 

D. Nelson (Maui, Hawaii) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Warthogs in the Kitchen A Sloppy Counting Book (Paperback)

My preschoolers loved the crazy whimsical events of these warthogs in the kitchen; wanting it read over and over again!