Willie in the Big World: An Adventure With Numbers (English and Swedish Edition)

The librarian's review that the story and illustrations are both too complex for a child just learning to count is accurate, but don't let that deter you from getting it for a slightly older child with an active imagination. It was my daughter's favorite read aloud book when she was about 6 and 7. She has such fond memories of it that she keeps giving it away to little girls she meets, and having to buy a replacement copy. (She's 32 now.) I think what she liked was the rather surreal nature of the characters Willie encounters (kind of Alice in Wonderlandish that way), and the way the bizarre objects he is given on his journey out into the world turn out to be useful on the way home. The counting is just a side game to draw you into the details of the illustrations, like Here's Waldo.

Swedens best illustratur delivers another top childrens book. Sven N delivers illutrated childrens books that is enjoyabel even for an adult. And I you are reading for your children ( which you should!) that is important. Look up his "Pettson and Findus"-books to!