Basher 123

In this high-energy follow-up to ABC Kids, the numbers one through 20 appear numerically and written out in bold type on pastel backgrounds, opposite digitally rendered animals with chunky outlines, in Basher’s distinctive manga-meets-video-game style. The creatures star in silly scenarios (“Four freaky frogs have holes in their socks”), and readers should eagerly engage with the lively and easy-to-count cartoons, alliteration, and repetition, including endpages that count from one to 20 again with smaller versions of the characters. Ages 3–6. (June)