Curious Encounters - by Ben Clanton (Hardcover)

About the Book

"An original and creative approach to a 32-page counting book - from 1 to 12 - that features PNW critters"--

Book Synopsis

Featuring the clever wordplay of Narwhal and Jelly author Ben Clanton and playful illustrations by Ezra Jack Keats honor winner Jessixa Bagley, Curious EnCOUNTers will have children laughing while learning to count from 1 to 13.

Children will have fun learning to count from 1 to 13 in this clever and imaginative book featuring Pacific Northwest critters engaged in curious activities and woven together by a young girl who goes on a hike. Readers will join her in unexpected, silly encounters along the way, such as one moose making a movie, five wolves weaving wool, and eight coyotes kayaking and canoeing. The young girl's hike culminates in what may be the most curious encounter of all: many of the animals in the book enjoying a big picnic lunch together, pulling in humorous details from previous scenes.

With the visual humor in Jessixa Bagley's illustrations, children will have fun learning to count to 13! And older readers will enjoy Ben Clanton's clever and punny wordplay!

Review Quotes

"The lively, playful illustrations move the action along as if it takes place on a wide stage."--Kirkus Reviews

"Clever use of page turns connects the scenes as the action continues from one spread to the next in a would-be panorama."--Publishers Weekly

"Scene by scene, the line-and-watercolor illustrations are playful and charming. And placed end to end, most of the pictures would form a circular panorama. A fanciful picture book."--Booklist

"Alliteration is masterfully used with various parts of the speech in each of the numbered statements."--Librarian's Quest

"The Seattle-based author and illustrator team up to present a silly, pun-filled adventure: counting 13 forest animals. The colorful pictures bring to life the creatures' outrageous antics, and there's so much for young eyes to see and find."--Seattle's Child

About the Author

BEN CLANTON is an award-winning children's book authorstrator best known for the Narwhal and Jelly books. He has spent most of his time on this planet reading, drawing, playing basketball, gardening and eating waffles. He lives in Seattle, WA, with his wife, Kelsey; son; daughter; and a wild goldendoodle named Gigi.

JESSIXA BAGLEY grew up in Portland, OR. Upon becoming an adult, she decided to follow her childhood dreams of being a picture-book maker. Her debut picture book, Boats for Papa, has earned many accolades and awards, including a Junior Library Guild selection, 2016 ALA Notable, the SCBWI 2016 Golden Kite Award for Best Picture Book Text, as well as the 2016 Washington State Scandiuzzi Children's Book Award. Her recent picture book Laundry Day was a Junior Library Guild Selection and also received a 2018 Ezra Jack Keats Award Honor. She lives in Seattle, WA, with her husband, son, and a slew of houseplants that all have names.