TOES, TEETH, AND TENTACLES

The late Jenkins and his widow, Page, put their scientific minds and significant artistic talents to bear on a counting book that considers the appendages and features of a variety of creatures from the anglerfish to the two-toed sloth.

On spreads labeled by numeral, from 1 to 10, the author/illustrators present a series of fascinating factoids, some of which matter to a creature’s survival and some that don’t. A male Jackson’s chameleon has three horns, which “help it defend its territory against other males.” Polydactyl cats are born with six toes on each of their front paws, but it’s unclear how that helps them adapt to life. The book concludes with sections devoted to “bigger” and “even bigger numbers,” which include more jaw-dropping statistics: For instance, the nautilus’ 90 retractable tentacles help it feel its way along a reef when hunting for prey. Jenkins and Page offer facts in plain, accessible language, but it’s their signature collage illustrations that will grab readers’ attention. Each spread showcases a variety of fetching animals that invite young people to pause and consider the wildlife’s relation to the number in question; headings (“5 stripes, eyes, legs, vessels, and teeth”) make the connections clear. Making some of these smaller creatures charismatic must have been tricky, but Jenkins and Page have managed to do just that.

Another delightful exploration of the natural world from an award-winning duo.