From the co-creator of the New York Times bestselling Ladybug Girl series comes a joyful counting book about inclusivity, play, and the thrill of making new friends--from one to ten and back again.

A quiet day at the playground turns into a boisterous park-wide adventure as one boy on the slide becomes two kids on the see-saw, then three jumping rope. Before long, ten new friends are playing like they've known one another forever.

With its deceptively simple text and a rich visual narrative, How to Two is a playful counting and reverse-counting concept book as well as an exuberant celebration of inclusive play, friendship, and community.

"No two ways about it--this one is a delight." --Kirkus
"A joyous celebration of play...Seamless...Diverse." --The Horn Book (starred review)
"Inviting and welcoming." --BCCB (starred review)
"Dynamic." --Booklist
"Exciting." --Publishers Weekly
© Maggie Heinzel-Neel
David Soman hails from a family of artists, and has been drawing since he could walk (over to the kitchen walls to draw on them). He is the New York Times bestselling co-creator of the Ladybug Girl series with his wife Jacky Davis, as well as author and illustrator of Three Bears in a Boat and The Monster Next Door. David, Jacky, their children, and a big furry dog live in New York's Hudson Valley. When not working on picture books, shoveling snow, or chopping firewood, David is an instructor at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. View titles by David Soman
A New York Public Library Best Book of the Year
BCCB Blue Ribbons List Selection


“Exciting . . . In kinetic illustrations, Soman champions diversity, inclusiveness, and the power of allowing children to play as they wish.” —Publishers Weekly

"A counting book that could also serve as a set of inclusivity instructions. . . . Inviting . . . Seamless . . . Diverse . . . Friendly . . . Bright . . . When, at sunset, the adults arrive [at the playground] to collect their children, Soman depicts what appear to be single parents, same-sex couples, grandparents, and a mother in a hijab; it’s a wonderfully mixed group. . . . This joyous celebration of play closes with an invitation to spot ten creatures in the park; viewers will be happy to return to the beginning to find them.” —The Horn Book (starred review)

“Most valuable . . . are Soman's thoughtful, diverse depictions of the children and families . . . No two ways about it—this one is a delight.” —Kirkus

★ “Part counting book, part socialization celebration, and part story, this clever narrative . . . is an inviting and welcoming outing.” —BCCB (starred review)

"Celebrates the joy and energy of childhood . . . Dynamic . . . Children will easily see themselves in [these pages]." —Booklist

About

From the co-creator of the New York Times bestselling Ladybug Girl series comes a joyful counting book about inclusivity, play, and the thrill of making new friends--from one to ten and back again.

A quiet day at the playground turns into a boisterous park-wide adventure as one boy on the slide becomes two kids on the see-saw, then three jumping rope. Before long, ten new friends are playing like they've known one another forever.

With its deceptively simple text and a rich visual narrative, How to Two is a playful counting and reverse-counting concept book as well as an exuberant celebration of inclusive play, friendship, and community.

"No two ways about it--this one is a delight." --Kirkus
"A joyous celebration of play...Seamless...Diverse." --The Horn Book (starred review)
"Inviting and welcoming." --BCCB (starred review)
"Dynamic." --Booklist
"Exciting." --Publishers Weekly

Author

© Maggie Heinzel-Neel
David Soman hails from a family of artists, and has been drawing since he could walk (over to the kitchen walls to draw on them). He is the New York Times bestselling co-creator of the Ladybug Girl series with his wife Jacky Davis, as well as author and illustrator of Three Bears in a Boat and The Monster Next Door. David, Jacky, their children, and a big furry dog live in New York's Hudson Valley. When not working on picture books, shoveling snow, or chopping firewood, David is an instructor at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. View titles by David Soman

Praise

A New York Public Library Best Book of the Year
BCCB Blue Ribbons List Selection


“Exciting . . . In kinetic illustrations, Soman champions diversity, inclusiveness, and the power of allowing children to play as they wish.” —Publishers Weekly

"A counting book that could also serve as a set of inclusivity instructions. . . . Inviting . . . Seamless . . . Diverse . . . Friendly . . . Bright . . . When, at sunset, the adults arrive [at the playground] to collect their children, Soman depicts what appear to be single parents, same-sex couples, grandparents, and a mother in a hijab; it’s a wonderfully mixed group. . . . This joyous celebration of play closes with an invitation to spot ten creatures in the park; viewers will be happy to return to the beginning to find them.” —The Horn Book (starred review)

“Most valuable . . . are Soman's thoughtful, diverse depictions of the children and families . . . No two ways about it—this one is a delight.” —Kirkus

★ “Part counting book, part socialization celebration, and part story, this clever narrative . . . is an inviting and welcoming outing.” —BCCB (starred review)

"Celebrates the joy and energy of childhood . . . Dynamic . . . Children will easily see themselves in [these pages]." —Booklist

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