Hello everyone! Our book today is Zero by Kathryn Otoshi, a numbers book that’s part counting, part confidence, and all about finding value.

Zero is a big round number, and she feels a bit empty inside. All the other numbers have value, they can all count together, and Zero feels left out. After all, you can’t count Zero. She tries to make herself look like the other numbers, but no matter how she tries, she’s always just herself. The other numbers want to help, but they aren’t sure how to. Can Zero find the value in herself and be happy with who she is?

We really enjoyed this one. JJ is a whiz at her numbers, so she was very excited to identify and count the brightly colored 1-9 throughout the book. But beyond the numbers is a sweet story about body types, fitting in, and finding self-worth. Zero’s journey feels like one that so many of us have taken in finding our own unique talents and what we bring to the table. This makes it a rare book that can really grow with a child, from simply learning to count as a baby, on to learning to count on themselves as they become older. The illustrations are simple yet striking, and give the numbers, which are anthropomorphized in the vein of Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, a lot of unique personality. This is a really cool book that little readers can enjoy and benefit from for years, and we liked it a lot. Baby Bookworm approved!