Rose Rosetree's Reviews > 100 Animals on Parade!

Masayuki-san is an author and illustrator with an adorable sense of humor, not to mention significant absurdity. Also, he happens to be extremely good with math and animals.

Animals arrive by the hundred, whether they are 100 bears, 100 rabbits, or 100 birds. Always they're intent on giving us the most hilarious little parades.

This isn't only a counting picture book but a wild set of intersecting journeys.

Animals wearing strange hats. Talking animals that make uninhibitedly making goofy comments.

In the background there's serene white space, reminding me of why I fell in love with Japan as soon as I landed there for my first of 15 found trips. That buzzing intelligence in the deep Japanese silence, that white space!

And with true Japanese politeness, the text invites learning. Never in a pushy way.

Sometimes the book offers soft-spoken encouragement:
“More and more bears! Count them: 32, 33, 34, 35 ....”.

Other times assignments are proposed, never in a pushy way, but so much fun that kids may feel that they really-really want to follow up, like it's their own choice rather than a teacher's or author's demands.

How I miss that Japanese finesse!

“Where is the bear so strong he can carry a piano?”

FIVE STARS FOR A BOOK THAT TEACHES SO INVITINGLY.

And it also reminds me why I miss Japan so.