One Earth

A helping-hands concept and fantastical illustrations elevate rhyming text in this earnest ecological counting book. Beginning with "One wide, sweeping sky./ Two honeybees," it counts up through bunnies, redwood trees, seagulls, and worms to "ten fields to plow." Then, at 10, it pivots: "Celebrating Earth--/ counting backwards now." From 10 to one, the text describes Earth-friendly actions of varying relevance to young readers, some unclear ("Six flannel shirts--too old?/ Cozier than new"), others actionable ("Five lamps to light a room?/ Try to use just two"), and some aspirational ("Four pairs of socks with holes?/ You can learn to sew"). A series of "ones" ends the book: "One moon.// One sun./ One Earth/ so beautiful.// Remember--/ only one." As the text conveys the preciousness of a single Earth, Coelho's illustrations portray it with soft, pencil-like texture. Ages 4-8. (Mar.)