By Masayuki Sebe
Kids Can Press, $16.95, 24 pages
ISBN 9781554536610

Colorful cartoon characters and action-packed pages will keep kids interested in Masayuki Sebe’s new book. Originally published in Japan in 2008, the translation allows English-speaking readers to become an active participant.

Sebe introduces mice, cats, moles, sheep, birds, fish, elephants, kids, ants, and houses in an organized manner and links each page with the next. Follow the mini conversations of each layout and you’ll discover hilarious one-liners that will keep you and your young reader chuckling. Each page contains 100 variations of each animal or object. Directions ask you to count the number on the entire page and then count a certain segment of the items, too. The last tidbit leads to a mathematical equation at the end of the picture book.

“There are 100 moles. How many are snuggled up with a frog?”

The images alone add to the visual concept of the book. Fun and unique drawings piqued my grandson’s interest as we counted our way through the pages. The book serves as an exercise in counting, sorting, and determining patterns, all educational objectives relevant to young readers. Let’s Count to 100 makes a nice addition to a young child’s library.

Reviewed by LuAnn Schindler