Anthony Browne's visually stunning picture book begins with 1 gorilla gazing out from the page. This is followed by 2 orangutans, then 3 chimpanzees, and so on, until a variety of primates numbering one to ten have been revealed. On every page spread, the animals are beautifully rendered with exquisitely detailed features. And whether there is 1 or 2 or 10 of them, they are all individuals. Not only is there variation in coat color and facial structure among the same kind of animal, but abundant personality comes through their facial expressions and their eyes. Following "10 lemurs," in a shift that is matter of fact yet arresting, Browne turns this into a simple science book by illuminating the fact that humans, too, are another kind of primate. It's an idea expressed simply and beautifully and accessibly, and followed by a page spread of diverse human primate faces full of both humor and poignancy. (Ages 2-7)

Primo primate artist Anthony Browne is at the top of his form with a simple -- and simply fascinating -- array of creatures for kids to count.

What better attention-getter for small children than primates in all their variety? And who better to render them than Anthony Browne? In this elegant counting book, the author-illustrator outdoes himself with a vivid presentation of primates from gorillas to gibbons, macaques to mandrills, ring-tailed lemurs to spider monkeys. With his striking palette, exquisite attention to detail, and quirky flair for facial expressions, Anthony Browne slyly extends the basic number concept into a look at similarities and differences -- portraying an extended family we can count ourselves part of.