First there is an empty field. The it is January, the first month of the year. All alone in the snow stands 1 yellow house. In front, 1 child builds a snowman. Behind the house is 1 tree and 1 black cow. Now, five months later, it is June. There are 6 buildings in the field, 6 children playing, and 6 adults working. One adult tends 6 ducks. Another drives a trains with 6 cars. From 1 to 12, through the months of the year, the town grows. More houses and trees and animals and people can be seen until December arrives with all it's magic. Amazon.com Review What kind of a counting book is this? On the first page all we see is a barren winter landscape--a hazy, blue sky above a hazy, white hill. Nothing to count here. But wait, this is zero! On the next page the scene brightens: one tree, one bird, one house. Turn the page again and the snow has started to melt--we find two buildings, two trucks, two trees, two children, two dogs, and two adults. Suddenly there is almost more than we can count on each page! The objects in the beautiful watercolor pictures correspond with each consecutive number, and in addition (so to speak), the number of items on the page increases exponentially. Mitsumasa Anno, author and illustrator of the award-winning Anno's Journey, has crafted a lovely medium to help kids learn to count. His love for numbers is reflected in the symmetry of every page, as well as his respect for the mathematical relationships that occur all around us. What kind of a counting book is this? The graceful, intelligent, engaging kind. (Ages 4 to 8) --This text refers to the Hardcover edition. Review "An excellent introduction to number systems and a beautiful wordless picture book as well. A counting book that's numero uno. -- -- School Library Journal "One of the few truly intelligent counting books ever produced-and a work of art besides. -- -- The New York Times