cover image Happy Punks 1 2 3: A Counting Story

Happy Punks 1 2 3: A Counting Story

John Seven and Jana Christy. Manic D (Consortium, dist.), $15.95 (32p) ISBN 978-1-933149-67-7

The team behind A Rule Is to Break: A Child’s Guide to Anarchy returns with a counting book that takes readers up to 12 as musicians prepare to give a free concert. These punks aren’t exactly raging against the machine; rather, Seven and Christy focus on things that bring them joy: “Six happy punks go to the thrift store.... They love old stuff. Perry buys a funny jacket. Siobhan loves that strange gizmo.” The book doesn’t get specific about what punk means, but the diversity of characters (including a second-wave ska fan, anthropomorphic animals and robots, and a jetpack-wearing punk of the steam variety) hint at a be-yourself, anything-goes mentality. Ages 3–up. (July)