One Prickly Porcupine

Numerals from one to 20 in this counting book are each accompanied by an alliterative tongue twister that tells of a giant's birthday celebration. The illustrations, photographs of brightly painted relief sculptures, highlight each number while depicting various rowdy animals partying on and about the giant's body--presented from various dizzying perspectives. The frenetic activity undermines the book's intent; the contrasts of the neonlike colors, while eye-catching, eventually prove overwhelming. The combination, for example, of 10 bumpy toads and toadstools, the giant's toes, balloons, wildflowers and green-winged bugs may well confuse youngsters rather than help them learn numerals. The abundance of texture--a forehead's wrinkles, the giant's furry eyebrows, buttons, string, dandelion petals--causes difficulty in focusing on the artwork itself. (Barbara Reid uses the plasticene medium to greater effect in Effie and Have You Seen Birds? ) While ingeniously executed, the commotion here ultimately deflects attention from the book's central purpose. Ages 3-up. (Apr.)