COUNT ON THE SUBWAY

Count up to 10 and back again with a mother and daughter as they ride the rumbling subway.

Husband-and-wife author team Jacobs and Swender are both counting and subway veterans (Nascar 1-2-3s, 2008) and (My Subway Ride, 2004), but this time they have combined the two. In short, staccato bursts, with a snappy beat, Momma and daughter take a subway ride, counting all the way. “6 empty seats, sit right down. / 7 more stops, going uptown. // Big Apple subway, 8 cars long. / 9 people off, 10 people on.” The numbers in the text are cleverly designed; they look like the same circles found on New York City’s transit signs. Savvy New York City kids will notice the colors don’t correspond with the correct numbered subway lines—forgivable artistic license, as it allows for a nice variety of colors, and there’s not a real-world line for each number. Happily, though, the path taken is absolutely a plausible trip! Yaccarino’s loose-limbed riders sway with the rush of the train, and the joyful smiles make this excursion all the more fun—especially the hidden art from previous books tucked in various corners.

A simple concept done with clean, commendable style.