Warthog: A Counting Adventure, by Birdie Black, illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw; Nosy Crow Books, $14.99, 32 pages, ages 1-3.

A playful combination of poetry and numbers makes this introduction to simple counting a welcome addition to the lift-the-flap genre. As little Warthog goes a-wandering, each adventure leads to another, with suspense building as he quickly reaches double-digits and a big surprise. Beardshaw’s bright mixed-media illustrations of a cheery menagerie of warthogs, birds, and butterflies matches Black’s quick-paced rhythm, creating just the right amount of suspense and adventure for the preschool set.