Ten Birds Meet a Monster

K-Gr 3—Young's 10 birds return in another unusual counting book. This time they must figure out how to chase away a monster whose shadow looms across a doorway. Hoping to frighten it, they try to build their own intimidating creature, using scarves, hats, shoes, socks, and other items scattered across the floor. The first bird's Vicious Polka-dactyl is supplemented and changed by the other birds. Scaly Triple-Claw, Terrifying Crackatoothus, and other incarnations don't faze the beast. When the 10th bird, "easily distracted," wanders into the frightening room and returns with a glove, the problem is solved. The birds enter to investigate the flashlight that created the monster. Young's black-and-white, pen-and-ink illustrations create plenty of interest to support multiple readings. Full-page pictures give viewers a chance to count the birds hidden within the tangles and folds of their growing creation. A smaller illustration on the facing page contains both the corresponding numeral formed by objects on the floor and the rest of the birds. A view of the bridge outside their window ties this volume to Ten Birds (Kids Can, 2011). Fans of that book certainly will welcome this companion, but it stands on its own.—Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato