The Horn Book Guide

PICTURE BOOKS

Rumford, James

Nine Animals and the Well

32 pp. | Houghton | May, 2003 | Trade ISBN 0-618-30915-2 $$16.00

(2) K-3 In a humorously illustrated fable and number lesson set in India, the young raja-king invites his animal friends to a party. The animals each think that he or she is bringing "the perfect birthday gift" but eventually learn to swallow their pride and that their friendship is all the raja-king wants. The dexterous tale counts down the gifts, and the author's note explains that it was Indians "who invented the ten curious-looking signs we use to count with."

Reviewer: Susan P. Bloom | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2003