Review by Booklist Review
And Then There Were None is the framework here, as 10 little guinea pigs meet a series of (nonfatal) mishaps at a birthday party, reducing their numbers all the way down to 1. The little animals are of different colors and varying hairiness and dress (one wears a tutu, another sports a cape, another brandishes a set of maracas, and so on), but they're all endearingly tubby and duly party-hatted. The first spread sets the pattern: Ten little guinea pigs, dancing in a line. / Bump! go the guinea pigs, and then there are . . . The different phases of the party pinning the tail on the donkey, eating cake, playing games, popping balloons result in more and more party accidents. At book's end, the remaining partyer makes a wish, and all the guinea pigs return, leading us back to the number 10. A lively and especially cute counting book.--Fletcher, Connie Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Based on traditional counting rhymes, this lively story from Scottish author/ illustrator Surplice features 10 guinea pigs going wild at a birthday party. "Ten little guinea pigs, dancing in a line./ Bump! go the guinea pigs, and then there are... [page turn] 9." Like an Agatha Christie for toddlers, Surplice uses ingenuity and variety to get rid of her characters (gently) one by one. The first guinea pig departs after getting stuck with a "pin the tail on the donkey" pin, another leaves after bumping his nose during a "jump and dive" session on a pile of pillows, and another floats "up and up and up" holding onto a balloon. At the end of the party, the birthday boy, all alone, "makes a wish... And once more there are... ten!" Surplice differentiates the guinea pigs with capes, tutus, and other accessories (all wear brightly colored party hats) to aid children with counting; the pigs and their brightly colored toys, gift bags, and other party fare pop against the white backdrops. As energetic and entertaining as a party full of higgledy-piggledy toddlers. Ages 2-up. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-K-This perfectly paced counting book depicts a birthday scene exactly as young children see it. There are energetic guests, lots of commotion, fun, mishaps, gifts, treats, and the inevitable letdown when the party is over. But Surplice ends on a high note, when the main character "shuts his eyes and makes a wish," putting the whole celebration into play once more. Endearing guinea pigs are stand-ins for the youngest listeners, who will practice counting from ten to one and back again with this bright, cheerfully illustrated, and delightful romp.-Gloria Koster, West School, New Canaan, CT (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Comical, partying guinea pigs who encounter one mishap after another allow readers to count down from 10 to one. From a bump during a conga line to a sadly misplaced pin during a game of pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey, these poor guinea pigs face it all. "Six little guinea pigs / love to jump and dive! / One bumps his nose, / and then there are // Five...." Leaving the answer for the page turn allows for audience participation, and between the rhymes, the patterned numerals in the corner and the easily countable guinea pigs, listeners will have no problem shouting out the answers. While the rhythms and rhymes are nothing outstanding ("heaven" rhymes with "seven," "again" with "10"), it doesn't much matter, since Surplice's guinea pigs are the true stars. Loaded with personality, the adorable rodents take the party by storm, suffering tummy aches, tantrums and balloon mishaps but, ultimately, celebrating their friendship. A final page features the numerals from one to 10, matching each with its own guinea pig. Simple white backgrounds help the rodents keep center stage and highlight the party paraphernalia that helps set the scene. Countdown to the next rereading. (Picture book. 3-6)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
